Between the ages of 3 years to 5 years, preschoolers reach many developmental milestones and seem to have endless energy and increasing physical coordination. Since each child develops at her own pace, watching a child develop often worries parents. This makes it vital to understand a preschooler's typical physical development.
Gross Motor Development
Gross motor skills incorporate any skills requiring the use of large muscles groups, like running, jumping, throwing and climbing skills. According to the pediatrician Dr. Anil Pradhan, between the ages of 3 and 4 a child develops the following skills: hops and stands on one foot, alternates feet as he walks up and down stairs without support, kicks a ball forward, throws a ball over his hand, catches a bounced ball and moves forward and backward with ease. Dr. Pradhan also advises that a child between 4 and 5 develops the ability to stand on one food for longer than 10 seconds, hop, do somersaults, swing independently, climb with ease and possibly skip.
Fine Motor Development
Fine motor skills consist of the ability to coordinate the small muscle groups in the arms, hands and fingers. Dr. Pradhan states that between the ages of 3 and 4 a child begins to be able to copy square shapes, draw a person with two to four body parts, use scissors, draw circles and start copying capital letters. Dr. Pradhan also states that a child between the ages of 4 and 5 should start copy triangles and other geometric patterns, draw a person with a body, print some capital and lowercase letters, dress and undress independently, use a fork and spoon and use the bathroom independently.
Physical Appearance And Growth
Throughout these years, your child will lose baby fat and increase her amount of muscle, making her appear stronger and more mature. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is possible for your child to gain height faster than weight and start to look fragile. However, these children typically fill out as their muscles develop. The AAP states that each child grows at her own pace. To know your child is growing at a steady pace, you should measure her height and weight twice a year.
Encouraging Your Child's Development
According to Earlychildhood News, encouraging play promotes the physical development of a child. Promote gross motor development by providing your child with opportunities to climb, run, throw, balance and catch. Promote fine motor development by providing your child with materials that will allow him to use him small muscle groups in her hands and fingers, like play dough, pasta for stringing, paint, crayons, paper, scissors and instruments in your backyard or a play tower.
Reasons for Concern
According to Dr. Pradhan, if your child is not able to throw a ball overhand, jump in place, grasp a crayon between her thumb and fingers, build a tower of six blocks, dress herself independently or perform personal hygiene with very little guidance, consult a medical professional.
References
- Dr. Anil Pradhan, MD; Pediatric Associates of Bradford; Bradford, Pa
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Your Preschooler's Physical Appearance and Growth
- Earlychildhood News: For Parents Only: Teaching Your Child Through Play
