Download Ch. 15 Meeting Physical Needs Objectives

Ch. 15
Meeting Physical Needs
Objectives:
• Compare and contrast growth patterns at different
stages of childhood
•Demonstrate ways of promoting good nutrition with
children of various ages
•Suggest activities for helping children develop large
and small motor skills
•Recommend techniques for teaching children personal
hygiene skills
•Select appropriate clothing for children
The Growing Child
•
•
Children may grow differently, as long as the
fall within the average range, there is no
reason for concern
Toddlers (1-3 years old)
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•
Grow at rapid rate
Arms, legs, lower body lengthen
Chest becomes more prominent
Balance and posture improve
Preschoolers (3-5 years old)
– Body becomes straighter/slimmer
– Abdomen flattens, shoulders widen, neck and
legs lengthen
•
School-Age Children (6-10 years old)
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Weight and height gains
Growth spurts
Girls progress about 2 years ahead of boys
Legs, arms, hands, and feet usually grow
faster than anything else
– Children usually look awkward and bony
Puberty
• Growth that marks when a
person becomes physically
and sexually mature
• Females = breast develop,
body fat increases,
menstruation begins
• Males = genitals grow larger,
muscles develop, facial and
body hair begins to grow
• Children often embarrassed
by the changes that occur
• Provide love, compliments
Providing Good Nutrition
• Proper nourishment is
essential for physical
development of children
• Healthy diet provides
energy for growth, daily
activity, and resistance to
illness
• Children need
recommended servings
from the Food Guide
Pyramid daily
Self-Feeding
• Reckless at first
• Small spoon, small
foods, 2 handle cups,
plastic plates/bowls
• High chair away from
walls and nonwashable furniture
• Fill cups only ¼ full
• Plan bath time after
meal
Serving Appropriate Amounts
• One tablespoon per age is recommended
• As much as the child wants is also appropriate
• Making children clean their plate encourages
them to eat more than they need
• Remember toddlers are exploring the power of
the word “no”
• Don’t ask “do you want some carrots?”, rather
say “here are your carrots, see if you can get
them on your spoon”
• Children find playtime more interesting than
eating, however they need reminders to stop for
snacks
Introducing New Foods
• Serve separately
• Mildly flavored and
seasoned lightly
• Served at room
temperature
Encourage Wise Food Choices
• Provide nutritious snacks
• Teach by setting an
example
• Space snacks between
meals
• Involve the child in
helping you prepare
meals
• Talk about nutrition with
your child
• Find children’s books
about food
Promoting Motor Skills
• Children don’t have “off”
switches
• Exercise is essential for
children gaining
coordination, balance,
and muscular strength
• Motor skill development is
not automatic
• Children need
opportunities for
flourishing physically
• See Page 308 for
Average Motor
Development Stages
Large Motor Skills
• Walking, climbing, running
• Parents need to provide children with greater
challenges
– swimming, skating, catching, throwing, riding bikes
Small Motor Skills
• Use small muscles
– Fingers, wrists, ankles
• Eye hand coordination
– Using hands/fingers precisely
• Manual dexterity
– Manipulate things with their
hands with control
• Hand preference revealed
– Coloring, throwing, eating
– Some studies reveal hand
preference is hereditary,
others suggest parents
influence by placing objects in
hand of child more than the
other
Teaching Hygiene Skills
•
•
•
Practical and emotional milestone
Toileting, brushing teeth, bathing
Toileting
– Readiness means having control
of bladder
– Signs of readiness: going a couple
of hours without wetting diaper,
complaining when they are wet,
going to the potty
– Nighttime control comes with time
•
Bathing
– Make relaxing, make enjoyable
with toys, use children’s
soap/shampoo
– Never leave a child unsupervised
in the tub
– Allow preschoolers to do more for
themselves to teach them
independence
Dental Care
• Should begin as soon as
child has teeth
• Encourage flossing
• Parents brush to teach
children proper technique
• Use a soft child-size
brush
• Small amount of
children’s toothpaste
• Limit sugary foods, only
allow sugarless gum (if
allowed at all)
Seeing the Dentist
• Schedule first
appointment around 3rd
birthday
• Ask for dentist referrals
from friends/family
members who are
especially child friendly
• Provide “good girl/boy”
incentives/rewards
Selecting Clothing
• Durability
– Reinforced seams, adjustable
straps, sturdy fabrics
• Comfort
– Stretchy, soft, absorbent
• Easy Care
– Wash/dry, preshrunk if cotton
• Affordable
– Children outgrow quickly, shop
sales, discount stores
• Child Preferable
– Favorite colors, characters,
styles, friend like
• Ease of Dress
– Elastic waistbands, fasteners
in front, large buttons, roomy
shirts, shoes with velcro
Making Meals Count
• Plan a day’s menu for a 3 year old! Include
foods for each of the following:
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Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Snack
Keep in mind that different shapes, colors, textures
add interest to a child!!
Children’s Snacks
FUN FRUIT KABOBS
– http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/fruit_kabobs.h
tml
BERRY TASTY MUFFINS
– http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/berry_muffins.
html
PRETZELS
– http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/pretzel.html