Earl childhood is one of the developmental stages of human life. Early childhood begins at birth and lasts until until 6 years of age. During this developmental stage, a child goes through two shorter developmental stages, which together make up early childhood. These short time periods are infancy and toddlerhood. The transition between the two is based on the child beginning to walk on her own. Once children take their first steps, they are a toddler and infancy is over.
Change in Weight During Infancy
Weight is rapidly gained during infancy. In their book "Human Motor Development," V. Payne and Larry Issacs provide detailed statistics on physical development across the entire life span. Payne and Isaacs say that boys' average birth weight is 7-1/2 lbs. while girls' average weight is 7 lbs. During the course of infancy, children gain weight rapidly. By the end of six months, children normally double their birth weight and will triple it by the end of their first year. Boys weigh, on average, 22-1/2 lbs. and girls 21 lbs.
Change in Height During Infancy
Children grow taller quickly during infancy. At birth, boys' average height is 20 inches and girls' average height is 19-3/4 inches. According to Payne and Isaacs, boys and girls increase their height by about 50 percent by the end of their first year. This puts their average heights at 30 inches for boys and 29-1/4 inches for girls.
Change in Weight During Toddlerhood
During toddlerhood, children will continue their pronounced physical development. Payne and Isaacs state that while children continue to gain weight, the rate they gain weight is slower than during infancy. Children almost triple their weight during their first year but during the second year, they gain 5-1/2 lbs. on average. From ages 3 to 5, they will add 4-1/2 lbs. per year.
Change in Height During Toddlerhood
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that boys in the 50th percentile for height will be 35 inches tall at 2 years of age and will grow to 45 inches in height by their 6th birthday. The CDC's numbers for girls are similar. Girls in the 50th percentile for height are 34 inches tall at 2 years and will also reach 45 inches by the time they are 6.
Changes in Body Proportions
In addition to getting heavier and taller, early childhood is also a period when body proportions change. Information provided in "Human Motor Development" shows that at birth the head contributes about 25 percent of total body length. During the course of early childhood, the rest of the body catches up. This is also true for sitting versus standing height. At birth, sitting height accounts for 85 percent of total body length. This decreases to 55 percent by age 6.
References
- "Human Motor Development"; Payne, V. & Issacs, D; 2008
- Stature-for-age Percentiles: Boys, 2-20 years
- Stature-for-age Percentiles: Girls, 2-20 years
