Physical development occurs rapidly in children, transforming helpless infants into mobile toddlers who turn into active preschoolers. Although developmental milestones don't occur at the exact same time for all preschool children, children's growth tends to follow a similar sequence as their skills build upon each other. Whether a child develops before all of his peers is less important than whether he is developing at a steady pace.
Growth
In comparison with toddlers, preschool-aged children have increased muscle tone and lower body fat, according to Merck.com. Although babies grow rapidly, children's growth rate slows down to a steady pace starting in preschool and the growth rate shouldn't pick up into another growth spurt until puberty. During the preschool years, the majority of growth occurs in the trunks and legs, ultimately causing the stomach to flatten out and making preschoolers' proportions look more like those of school-aged children. According to the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, the average 3-year-old girl is 37 ¼ inches tall and the average 3-year-old boy is 38 inches tall, the average 3-year-old girl weighs 31 ¼ pounds and the average 3-year-old boy weighs 32 ¼ pounds. By age 4 1/2 , both the average girl and boy are 42 inches tall and weigh 38 ½ pounds.
Fine Motor Skills
Preschoolers spend much of their time working on fine motor skills between ages 3 and 4, preparing them to enter the world of elementary school. According to the University of Illinois Extension, the average 3-year-old can handle small objects such as puzzles, smear paint and create circular and horizontal marks when drawing or painting. The average 3-year-old also may be able to start cutting using blunt-nosed scissors, according to MedlinePlus. By age 4, a child can dress himself, enjoys unzipping, unbuttoning and unsnapping clothes and tries to lace his shoes. He also has developed the capacity to draw a square, can eventually cut in a straight line and manages a fork and spoon neatly while he eats.
Gross Motor Skills
The average 3-year-old is able to stand on one foot, walk on her tip-toes, ride a tricycle and jump horizontally, but she still trips from time to time and she must work to perfect her coordination. By age 4, she can run on her tip-toes, hop on one foot, gallop, skip and throw a ball overhand, according to the University of Illinois Extension. She also should generally be better at steering her tricycle, running, jumping, kicking, throwing and catching, according to MedlinePlus.
Encouraging Physical Development
Caregivers should provide preschoolers with ample opportunities to work on their gross motor skills by frequently letting them play outside. They should also provide plenty of materials such as paint, puzzles, crayons, chalk and play dough to help them develop their coordination, according to Education.com. The National Network for Childcare recommends that caregivers offer preschoolers ample opportunities to dance to music and balance on lines and balance beams.
Developmental Delays
If a preschooler hasn't met many or all of her projected milestones, the University of Michigan Health System recommends taking her to see her pediatrician, neurologist or developmental and behavioral pediatrician to obtain a proper diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment. Caregivers also should take a child to see a pediatric health specialist if a preschooler begins to have trouble performing skills she once had.
