Physical Development in Early Childhood

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Questions and Answers

What is the average weight of a full-term baby at birth?

2.5 kg

4.5 kg

5.6 kg

3.4 kg (correct)

By what percentage do newborns typically lose weight in the first few days?

10% (correct)

15%

20%

How many hours do newborns typically sleep in a day?

18 hours (correct)

15 hours

12 hours

20 hours

What is the proportion of adult brain size that a child's brain reaches by age 2?

80% Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate number of connections made between neurons by age 3?

1,000 trillion Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of adult brain size does a child's brain reach by age 6?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the brain in some areas after age 10?

It shrinks due to pruning Signup and view all the answers

Which type of motor skill involves the coordination between small muscles, like those of the hands and fingers, with the eyes?

Fine motor skill Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical fine motor skill of a one-year-old child?

Bangs two objects together Signup and view all the answers

At what age does a child usually start to lose their first teeth?

Six years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the average weight gain per year for a child between 3 to 6/7 years old?

5 pounds (2 kg) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical gross motor skill of a two-year-old child?

Walks alone Signup and view all the answers

At what age can a child usually walk up and down stairs without support?

Four years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the average height of an 11-year-old child?

58 inches (1.47 m) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical fine motor skill of a three-year-old child?

Turns book pages one at a time Signup and view all the answers

At what age can a child usually hop and stand on one foot for five seconds?

Four years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical physical growth rate of a child between 3 to 6/7 years old?

Slower overall rate of growth Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical gross motor skill of a six-year-old child?

Constantly 'on the go' and active Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Physical Development in Early Childhood

Newborns typically weigh around 3.4 kg and measure 40-50 cm in length, with boys being slightly longer and heavier than girls.
In the first few days, newborns lose up to 10% of their birth weight, but regain it by around day 14.
Newborns respond to sounds, turn towards voices, and sleep for up to 18 hours a day.
Newborns are sensitive to pain and prefer sweet tastes, with well-developed hearing and less developed vision.

Brain Growth and Development

At birth, children have around 100 billion neurons, which form connections at an incredible rate of 1,000 trillion connections by age 3.
By age 2, the brain is already 80% of its adult size, and by age 6, it reaches 90% of its adult size.
The cerebral cortex continues growing until around age 10, after which the brain starts to shrink in some areas, leading to more efficient brain function but poorer judgment and decision-making in teenagers.

Gross and Fine Motor Skills

Gross motor skills include whole-body movements, such as walking, running, and jumping, whereas fine motor skills require coordination between small muscles, like those in the hands and fingers.
One-year-olds can bang objects together, put objects in a container, take objects out, and voluntarily let go of objects.
Two-year-olds can scribble, turn over a container to pour out contents, and build a tower of four blocks or more.
Three-year-olds can make circular lines with a pencil, turn book pages one at a time, and build a tower of more than six blocks.
Four-year-olds can copy square shapes, draw a person with two to four body parts, and use scissors.
Five-year-olds can copy triangles and other shapes, draw a person with a body, and begin to copy some capital letters.
Six-year-olds have very good pencil control, writing becomes more adult-like, and they can draw well.

Gross Motor Skills Development

Two-year-olds can walk alone, pull toys while walking, carry large toys, and kick a ball.
Three-year-olds can climb well, walk up and down stairs, kick a ball, and pedal a tricycle.
Four-year-olds can hop and stand on one foot for up to five seconds, go upstairs and downstairs without support, kick a ball forward, and catch a bounced ball most of the time.
Five-year-olds can stand on one foot for 10 seconds or longer, swing, and may be able to skip.
Six-year-olds are constantly active, coordinate their bodies well, and are successful in bat and ball games.

Dentition (Teeth)

Teeth form before birth in the gums, and the first teeth emerge around 5-9 months.
By 24 months, children typically have around 20 teeth, and by age 6, they begin to lose their first teeth as the second ones come through.

Physical Growth

Between 3 to 6/7 years old, children's physical growth slows down, with an average gain of 2-3 inches per year and 5 pounds per year.
Body proportions change, with the body and legs growing longer and the stomach flattening.
Between 6/7 to 12 years old, the average 7-year-old measures around 49 inches (1.24m) and weighs 55 pounds (25kg), while the average 11-year-old measures around 58 inches (1.47m) and weighs 80 pounds (36kg).

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Description

Learn about the physical characteristics and abilities of newborns, including their weight, length, and senses. Discover how they respond to stimuli and develop in the first few days of life.