Toddler Development: Physical Growth

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Questions and Answers

At what age is the birth weight quadrupled?

2.5 years old (correct)

3 years old

1 year old

2 years old

What is the average weight gain per year for a toddler?

2.5 to 3.2 kg/year

1.8 to 2.7 kg/year (correct)

1.5 to 2.2 kg/year

3.5 to 4.2 kg/year

At what age does the anterior fontanel close?

12 months

24 months

18 months

Between 12 – 18 months (correct)

How many teeth are expected by the age of 24 months?

16 teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the average height of a 2-year-old child?

86.6 cm Signup and view all the answers

Why does the toddler appear 'pot-bellied'?

Due to the immature abdominal musculature Signup and view all the answers

What is essential to manage temper tantrums in children?

Consistency and developmentally appropriate expectations and rewards Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason behind a toddler's negativism?

An expression of self-control and independence Signup and view all the answers

Why do toddlers often resist having their vital signs taken?

It is an intrusion on their bodies Signup and view all the answers

What is a effective way to reduce negativism in toddlers?

Reducing opportunities for a 'no' answer Signup and view all the answers

How can nurses assist parents in understanding negativism in toddlers?

By role modeling and explaining the concept Signup and view all the answers

What is a better way to ask a toddler to take their vital signs?

Saying 'I'm going to take your temperature' Signup and view all the answers

What is a common factor that can provoke fears in children?

Experiencing daily stressors Signup and view all the answers

At what age is an oral health examination recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry?

6 months old Signup and view all the answers

Why is plaque removal important in toddlers?

To prevent tooth decay and gum disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of play in toddlers?

Magnifying physical and psychosocial development Signup and view all the answers

At what stage of development do toddlers typically achieve voluntary control of the anal and urethral sphincters?

After walking Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of anticipatory guidance regarding toilet training?

To prepare families for toilet training Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a nurse asks a toddler a question and proceeds with the action despite the toddler's 'no' answer?

The toddler starts to mistrust the nurse's actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is regression in the context of child development?

A retreat from one's present pattern of functioning to past levels of behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Why is regression common in toddlers?

Almost any additional stress hinders their ability to master present developmental tasks. Signup and view all the answers

How should a caregiver respond to a toddler's regression?

Ignore the regression and praise existing patterns of appropriate behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the high protein requirements in toddlers?

To support muscle tissue growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge in meeting the nutritional needs of toddlers?

Meeting their need for minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Signup and view all the answers

What should be placed in front of other sources of heat, such as radiators and fireplaces?

Guards Signup and view all the answers

Why are toddlers at the highest risk for accidental poisoning?

Because of their innate curiosity and ability to open containers Signup and view all the answers

What is a common hazard to children in this age group when playing outdoors?

Sunburns Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of ingesting harmful substances, such as lye?

Esophageal stricture Signup and view all the answers

Why are portable electric heaters placed in a high area?

To keep them out of reach of climbing young children Signup and view all the answers

What is a common type of injury that occurs in playgrounds?

Falls Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fears in Toddlers

Fears can be provoked by daily stressors such as pressure to toilet train, moves, sibling birth, experiences of loss, or separation from parents.

Dental Health

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that every child have an oral health examination by a practitioner by 6 months old.
Initial visit to a dentist or pedodontist (pediatric dentist) should occur by 6 months old or within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth for high-risk category children.
Plaque removal by oral hygiene measures should be implemented in toddlers to remove plaque, soft bacterial deposits that adhere to the teeth and cause dental caries (decay or cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease.

Play in Toddlers

Play magnifies toddlers' physical and psychosocial development.
Interaction with people becomes increasingly important.
Solitary play of infancy progresses to parallel play; toddlers play alongside, not with, other children.

Toilet Training

One of the major tasks of toddlerhood is toilet training.
Anticipatory guidance and clinical intervention for families surrounding toilet training should begin during routine well-child visits before the child's developmental readiness to toilet train.
Voluntary control of the anal and urethral sphincters is achieved sometime after the child is walking, probably between 18 and 24 months old.

Normal Toddler Development

Toddler stage is between 1 to 3 years of age.
Physical growth slows considerably during this period.

Physical Growth

Average weight gain is 1.8 to 2.7 kg/year.
The average weight at 2 years old is 12 kg.
Birth weight is quadrupled by 2.5 years old.
Formula to calculate normal weight of children over 1 year of age: Age in years x 2 + 8 =……….Kg
At 30 months: birth weight quadruples.

Height

The rate of increase in height also slows, increasing about 10 to 12.5 cm/year.
1-2 years increases 1 cm/month.
The usual increase is an addition of 7.5 cm (3 inches) per year and occurs mainly in elongation of the legs rather than the trunk.
The average height of a 2-year-old child is 86.6 cm.
Formula to calculate normal height of children over 1 year of age: Age in years x 5 + 80 =……….cm.

Head and Chest Circumferences

The brain develops to about 90% of its adult size.
1 year to adult head increases 10 cm only.
Head circumference increases only about 2 cm during the second year.
Chest circumference continues to increase in size and exceeds head circumference.
Anterior fontanel closes between 12 – 18 months of age.

Teething

Primary dentition of 16 teeth by the 24 month and 20 teeth by the 30 month.

Abdomen

It is protruded and toddler appears “pot-bellied” because of the immature abdominal musculature.

Managing Behavior

Consistency and developmentally appropriate expectations and rewards can help manage tantrums.
Ensuring consistency among all caregivers in expectations, prioritizing what rules are important, and developing consequences that are reasonable for the child's level of development help manage the behavior.

Negativism

Negativism is a normal aspect of toddler development, not an expression of being stubborn or insolent, but a necessary assertion of self-control.
One method of dealing with negativism is to reduce the opportunities for a “no” answer.

Regression

Regression is a retreat from one's present pattern of functioning to past levels of behavior.
It usually occurs in instances of discomfort or stress when one attempts to conserve psychic energy by reverting to patterns of behavior that were successful in earlier stages of development.
When regression does occur, the best approach is to ignore it while praising existing patterns of appropriate behavior.

Promoting Optimal Health

Nutrition

During the period from 12 to 18 months old, the growth rate slows, decreasing the child's need for calories, protein, and fluid.
The protein (13 g/day) and energy requirements are still relatively high to meet the demands for muscle tissue growth and high activity level.
The need for minerals (such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus) may be difficult to meet, considering the characteristic food habits of children in this age group.

Safety Precautions

Other sources of heat, such as radiators, fireplaces, accessible furnaces, kerosene heaters, and wood-burning stoves, should have guards placed in front of them.
Portable electric heaters must be placed in a high area, well out of reach of climbing young children.
Sunburns are a year-round concern in certain regions.
Accidental poisoning is a hazard in toddlers due to their innate curiosity and ability to open “childproof” containers.
Many household products, medications, and plants can be poisonous if swallowed.
Falls are still a hazard to children in this age group, although by the later part of early childhood, gross and fine motor skills are well developed, decreasing the incidence of falls down stairs and from chairs.
Playground injuries are common.

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Description

Test your knowledge of physical growth and development in toddlers, including weight gain and height increase. Learn about the average rates and calculations for normal child development. Assess your understanding of this critical stage from 1 to 3 years old.