How Your Child Develops Physically

oogle_ad_section_start -->Body fat decreases in the physical development of a
Considering the rapid physical development an infantchild who reaches preschool age. And by the time a
experiences, the physical development of a child in thechild is five and a half years old their body fat is half as
preschool years is slow and steady. An infant typicallythick as it was when they were 9 months old. Muscle
gains about 14 pounds by their first birthday, while angrowth slows down gradually during the physical
average preschooler gains about six pounds a yeardevelopment of a child, and picks up again during
until they are six years old. During the preschool years,adolescence. And because of testosterone, boys tend
the weight gain is made up of muscle and fat, asto have more muscle and bone than girls do.
preschoolers actually shed body fat.As the physical development of a child matures they
A typical preschool boy weighs about 32 pounds,develop more bone and less cartilage in their skeletal
(about as much as three bags of groceries) and ansystem, and their muscles and ligaments attach more
average preschool girl weighs a bit less. Whenfirmly to their bones. During the preschool years a child
considering the general physical development of a child,is more susceptible than an older child to damaging
preschool boys typically outweigh girls by about atheir bones or muscles, because of overuse or injury,
pound.because preschool bones and muscles are still
When considering the physical development of a child,developing.
their growth slows down considerably in height as wellIn order to encourage optimum bone and muscle
as in weight when comparing the amount of growthdevelopment it's important to constantly supervise an
they did in infancy. Preschoolers typically grow two toactive preschooler who is often in continuous motion
three inches a year. The average three year old boyand willing to take unsafe risks. It's also important at this
is 38 inches tall. When this boy reaches six years oldage to ensure that preschoolers wear proper fitting
he will likely be 48 inches tall. When considering generalshoes and have good posture while those bones and
physical development of a child, girls are slightly shortermuscles are forming.
than boys, until they reach about age 11 where theyThe physical development of a preschool child also
tend to sprout up taller than boys.includes their teeth. A preschooler typically has a full
The physical development of a child in the preschoolset of baby teeth by the time they are three years old.
years allows them to be more mobile than they wereAt this age, children are able to crunch, bite and chew
in their infancy, because their torso, arms and legsany food. During the preschool period a child's jaw
have grown so they are no longer 'top heavy'. Thisbecomes longer and their face becomes longer to
makes the preschooler's center of gravity lower andmake room for permanent teeth.
makes it easier for them to maintain their balance.