Preschool Stages

Question 1

Growth

Answer 1

Growth begins to slow (4.5-6.5 lb/year and 2.5-3.5 in/year)
Begins to become more slender
Average 4 year old: 40 lbs and 40”
Becoming mor aware of the functions of their own body and the bodies of the opposite sex

Question 2

Cognitive Development

Answer 2

Preschool children are in the preoperational stage
Continue to develop more symbolic thinking and play
Become less egocentric in their thinking and more aware of others (but think that “everyone thinks like I do”)
Believe that there is an irreversibility of their actions

Question 3

Psychosocial Development

Answer 3

Initiative v. Guilt stage
Child develops a purpose and direction
Time to develop rules and self control through punishment and reward (verbal punishment and reward work best!)

Question 4

Nutrition

Answer 4

90 cal/kg/day
Time to develop health eating habits
May have meal away from home for first time
Intense food preferences may emerge-battles and refusals may happen

Question 5

Sleep

Answer 5

11-13 hr a night
1 short nap during the day or may entirely lose nap (but still need daily quiet time)
May become resistant to bedtime

Question 6

Somnambulism

Answer 6

17% of kids experience this
Most outgrow w/ CNS maturation
Occurs in late non-REM sleep
Triggered by a change in sleep patterns or possibly fever

Question 7

Elimination

Answer 7

Bowel control occurs before bladder control
May still have bed wetting and accidents
Encourage more responsibility with elimination (identifying poop, washing hands, etc.)
Watch for constipation!

Question 8

Mortality

Answer 8

Capitalize on rule following (rule following is still “cool”)
Helmets use is important for bikes or scooters
Teach them how to identify bad strangers
Teach them about car safety and traffic safety
Car seats until 5 years, then use a booster seat, and CHILD LOCK