Physical Development of Children Ages 3-5

People come in all shapes and sizes, but when you have a child, it is important to monitor his physical development because it provides an indication of the child's overall health in addition to mental development. The physical development of children differs based on age. For instance, the physical development of a newborn is very different from that of a 1-year-old child. Similarly, children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old have specific physical development characteristics.

Physical Appearance

Prior to age 3, a child typically has a significant amount of "baby fat" left. They appear chubby but aren't overweight. Between ages 3 and 5, however, this baby fat is lost. The child becomes much leaner in appearance as this occurs. The change appears more drastic due to the fact that the child also grows taller; it's not uncommon for the child to grow 2 or 3 inches every year. The child appears less top heavy, but his head still is slightly large in proportion to the rest of his body.

Brain Development

As the child grows between ages 3 and 5, there is an enormous amount of brain development that occurs. Neurological connections that develop during this period allow for increased cognitive ability, but they also allow for better hand-eye coordination and motor control.

Activities

Due to the increased number of neurological connections that develop in the brain, children between 3 and 5 years of age are able to complete a larger number of physical activities. They have better balance, which allows them to jump, go down stairs one foot at a time, get dressed (although help is still needed with things like buttons), and flip forward. Their fine motor skills also improve, so they can grasp pencils or crayons with just fingers instead of a fist.

Energy Levels

The increased neurological development that occurs in 3- to 5-year-olds means that the brain and other parts of the body will be more active than in the past. As a result, children in this age range experience an increase in the amount of energy that is used up. They may eat significantly more or may need a snack or two during the day to keep going physically.

Independence

The physical development of 3- to 5-year-old children has the general affect of increased independence for the child. The child may try physical tasks that could not be done before. It is best to encourage the child toward this development so long as the activity is a safe one. However, it is a good idea during this time not to underestimate the physical capabilities of the child and to communicate with her about what behavior is acceptable and what is not.

References

• Parenting Literacy: Age Norms

Resources

• KidsHealth: Your Child's Growth