MODULE 15:
PRESCHOOLERS’ PHYSICAL
DEVELOPMENT
PRESCHOOL YEARS
“the years before formal school begins.
It lays foundation to later development.
Significant Changes in Physical
Development
CENTER OF GRAVITY
Refers to the point at which body-weight is
evenly distributed.
TODDLERS have their center of gravity at a
high level, about the chest level.
PRESCHOOLERS have their center of gravity
at a lower level, right about near the belly button.
“BABY OR MILK” TEETH are already in place
by the time the child reaches three years old
GROSS AND FINE MOTOR
DEVELOPMENT
GROSS MOTOR development refers to
acquiring skills that involve the large muscles.
3 CATEGORIES OF GROSS MOTOR:
1. Locomotor
2. Non - Locomotor
3. Manipulative Skills
Locomotor
Are those that
involve going
from one place
to another.
Non - Locomotor
are those where the child stays in
place.
Manipulative Skills
Are those
that involve
projecting
and receiving
objects.
FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
Refers to acquiring
the ability to use the
smaller muscles in
the arm, hands and
fingers purposefully.
FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
By the end of the preschool years most
children manage to hold a pencil with their
thumb and fingers, draw pictures write
letters, use scissors, do stringing and
threading activities,
We can observe a preschooler shifting
the crayon from left to right and back again
while working on a coloring activity.
PRESCHOOLERS’ ARTISTIC
DEVELOPMENT
VIKTOR LOWENFELD
Studied this and came up with the stages
of drawing in early childhood.
THE STAGES OF DRAWING IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD
Stage 1: SCRIBBLING STAGE
Stage 2: PRESCHEMATIC STAGE
Stage 3: SCHEMATIC STAGE
Stage 1: SCRIBBLING STAGE
This stage stage begins with large zig-
zag lines which become circular markings.
Stage 2: PRESCHEMATIC STAGE
At this point adults may be able to
recognize the drawings.
Stage 3: SCHEMATIC STAGE
More elaborate scenes are depicted.
Children can usually draw from experience
and exposure.
Repetition is the hallmark of early drawing.
PRESCHOOLERS’ NUTRITION
AND SLEEP
The preschoolers’nutritional status is the result of
what nutrients he or she actually takes in
checked against the nutritional requirement for
his or her age. Obviously having too much and
too little of something both have negative effects.
It is important for preschoolers’ to get sufficient
amount of rest and sleep. They benefit from about
10- 12 hours of sleep each day.