Birth to Age 5

Physical Health and

Development
A Booklet for Kansas Families
Greetings!
A childs early development builds a foundation for later learning.
The purpose of this booklet is to introduce families to some of
the skills, called developmental milestones, that children develop
and the order in which they happen. A sampling of ideas to help
develop these skills is found in the following pages.
Children develop differently, even in the same family. Two
children, side by side, will not necessarily have the same skills at
the same time.
This booklet has been compiled to provide information on physical
health and development in young children and is intended for use
by Kansas families.
This booklet weaves a common thread of understanding related to
what physical health and development looks like during the early
childhood years.
Suggested Use of This Document
- As a starting point for conversations about the development of
children.
- As a guide for families to help support their childs
development through suggested activities.
If you have concerns about the progress of your child, consider
speaking to your childs doctor, local health department, teacher,
or request a free screening by contacting the following agencies:
For children birth to three years old, contact:
Kansas Department of Health, Infant Toddler Services
(800) 332-6262
For children over three years old, contact:
Kansas State Department of Education
(800) 203-9462
Let us know if we can be of further help!
Sincerely,
Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC)
866-711-6711
This booklet contains suggestions for play with "safe toys, and
foods to eat. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
and The Center for Disease Control recommend:
- Look for, read, and abide by age and safety labels. Toys
labeled not safe for children under 3 could have small parts
that may cause choking.
- Keep un-infated balloons and broken balloon pieces away
from all children.
- Round or oval objects such as balls, marbles, or hotdogs,
that ht easily into a childs mouth may be difhcult to remove
from a childs throat and could cause choking.
- Remove all crib toys that are strung across a crib or playpen
when babies reach 5 months or begin to push up on hands
and knees, whichever comes hrst.
- Check all toys regularly for breakage and potential dangers.
- Never leave a small child alone while eating.
- Children should not eat when walking, playing, or riding in a
car.
- Cut food into small pieces, removing seeds and pits. Cook
or steam vegetables to soften.
When considering offering toys or foods that are difhcult to
chew, remember that the trachea (wind pipe) in small children
is about the size of a drinking straw.
Sincere thanks to aII those who heIped author this series of
bookIets incIuding:
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Young Infants >&'D'7#%:2*
What to Watch For
1. ?oung lnfanLs Lyplcally roll from sLomach Lo back.
2. ?oung lnfanLs may supporL Lhemselves on Lhelr hands whlle holdlng up
Lhelr head.
3. ?oung lnfanLs may slL wlLhouL help by 8 monLhs.
4. ?oung lnfanLs may rock forward and backward whlle on hands and knees.
3. 8eachlng for ob[ecLs ls Lyplcal for young lnfanLs.
6. ?oung lnfanLs may crawl Lhrough and around ob[ecLs.
7. ?oung lnfanLs may move someLhlng Lhey are holdlng from one hand Lo Lhe
oLher.
8. ?oung lnfanLs Lyplcally use Lhelr enure hand when Lhey grab ob[ecLs.
9. ?oung lnfanLs may
llke Lo sleep and eaL
around Lhe same
ume each day.
10. Crylng ls how young
lnfanLs Lyplcally
show Lhey need
someLhlng.
1
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1. lace young lnfanLs on Lhelr Lummles Lo play on Lhe oor. 1hln blankeLs or
oLher play maLs may make Lhls more comforLable. 8e auenuve, consLanLly
supervlslng and encouraglng eorLs.
2. laclng young lnfanLs on Lhelr Lummles may encourage Lhem Lo push
Lhemselves up on Lhelr hands and hold up Lhelr heads.
3. Pold young lnfanLs ln a slmng posluon whlle on your lap, provldlng supporL
as needed.
4. Lncourage auempLs Lo move by placlng a few Loys around Lhe young lnfanL,
[usL ouL of reach.
3. 1o encourage reachlng, hang a moblle over Lhe crlb or provlde Loys Lo swaL
whlle en[oylng oor ume.
6. rovlde so, safe ob[ecLs, such as furnlLure or safe Loys, for young lnfanLs
Lo crawl Lhrough and around. Crawl wlLh your young lnfanL, looklng for
hldden dangers such as choklng hazards.
7. Cer safe ob[ecLs LhaL are easy for small hands Lo grasp so LhaL young
lnfanLs pracuce movlng Lhem from one hand Lo Lhe oLher.
8. Choose safe, so Loys for young lnfanLs LhaL L ln Lhelr small hands.
9. A predlcLable, yeL exlble, dally rouune for feedlng and sleeplng may help
young lnfanLs learn Lo LrusL and predlcL whaL ls comlng nexL.
10. ulerenL crles ln young lnfanLs slgnal dlerenL needs. LlsLen and respond
sensluvely Lo crylng ln young lnfanLs. 1here ls no such Lhlng as a spolled"
lnfanL!
Young Infants >&'D'7#%:2*
How to Help - Try This!
2
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Older Infants >&'ED'7#%:2*
What to Watch For
1. Clder lnfanLs may creep up sLalrs head-rsL and crawl down sLalrs feeL rsL
whlle on Lhelr belly.
2. ulllng up Lo sLand ls Lyplcal of older lnfanLs.
3. Clder lnfanLs may Lake sLeps by Lhemselves.
4. Clder lnfanLs Lyplcally Lhrow a ball or oLher lLems wlLhouL help.
3. Clder lnfanLs may use Lhelr hands Lo Lurn ob[ecLs.
6. ushlng and pulllng Loys ls Lyplcal of older lnfanLs.
7. Clder lnfanLs may use Lhelr Lhumb and polnLer-nger Lo plck up Lhlngs.
8. Clder lnfanLs may eaL, hold a spoon, or hold a cup wlLh help.
9. 1yplcally, older lnfanLs wlll leL adulLs know when Lhey need Lhelr dlaper
changed.
3
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Older Infants >&'ED'7#%:2*
How to Help - Try This!
1. rovlde supervlsed opporLunlues for
older lnfanLs Lo creep up and down 2 or
3 sLalrs.
2. Laps are greaL places for
older lnfanLs Lo pracuce
sLandlng wlLh supporL! Sofas, and low
Lables wlLh rounded corners also work
well.
3. SupporL eorLs by older lnfanLs Lo Lake
Lhelr rsL sLeps around sofas, low Lables
wlLh rounded corners and sLurdy Loys.
4. lay caLch wlLh your older lnfanL, uslng
foam or oLher so balls.
3. rovlde Loys or board books for older lnfanLs. Show Lhem how Lo Lurn
pages.
6. rovlde wheeled Loys Lo lnvlLe older lnfanLs Lo rlde, push, or pull.
7. Show older lnfanLs how Lo plck up so Loys, pleces of food, or oLher ob[ecLs
wlLh Lhelr Lhumb and polnLer-nger.
8. rovlde opporLunlues for older lnfanLs Lo feed Lhemselves and drlnk from a
cup wlLh adulL supervlslon.
9. 8espond Lo older lnfanLs' slgnals for a dlaper change, such as crles,
polnung, words, faclal expresslon, body movemenL, or oLher slgns.
4
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Toddlers >&'FG'7#%:2*
What to Watch For
1. 1oddlers may run qulckly.
2. 1oddlers Lyplcally squaL when playlng.
3. 1oddlers may Lurn Lhe pages of a book one aL a ume.
4. 1oddlers may hold penclls or crayons beLween Lhelr Lhumb and rsL Lwo
ngers.
3. 1oddlers may hold and drlnk from a cup or glass.
6. 1oddlers may eaL food LhaL ls hard or chewy.
7. 1oddlers may seek adulL auenuon lf concerned abouL Lhelr safeLy or Lhe
safeLy of oLhers.
5
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Toddlers >&'FG'7#%:2*
How to Help - Try This!
1. lay wlLh Loddlers ln areas where
Lhey can run safely.
2. lay games on Lhe oor wlLh
Loddlers.
3. Cer Loddlers books wlLh few pages
Lo Lurn.
4. rovlde Loddlers wlLh Lhlck
washable markers, crayons, and
large sheeLs of paper Lo use wlLh
supervlslon.
3. Lncourage Loddlers Lo drlnk by
Lhemselves from unbreakable cups
or glasses.
6. Serve Loddlers small pleces of chewy frulLs and vegeLables durlng snacks or
meals.*
7. LlsLen and respond approprlaLely Lo Loddlers' fears and concerns.
6
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Young Preschoolers >&'HD'7#%:2*
1. ?oung preschoolers Lyplcally palnL and draw for a reason, such as maklng a
plcLure of a person or Lhlng, or Lo Lell a sLory.
2. 1yplcally, young preschoolers are able Lo do someLhlng dlerenL wlLh each
hand ln order Lo accompllsh a Lask, such as laclng a shoe, zlpplng a zlpper,
or Lhreadlng beads on a sLrlng.
3. ?oung preschoolers may be able Lo geL food when Lhey are hungry and
prepare slmple meals such as cereal wlLh mllk.
4. ?oung preschoolers may learn Lo carry sclssors safely wlLh Lhe polnL
downward.
3. ?oung preschoolers may be learnlng Lo pour from a small plLcher wlLhouL
spllllng.
6. ?oung preschoolers may undersLand Lhe rouune of dally evenLs.
7. ?oung preschoolers may undersLand and be able Lo follow Lhe dlrecuons of
slmple games, such as follow-Lhe-leader.
8. ?oung preschoolers may en[oy group acuvlues such as preschool or play
group.
7
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What to Watch For
1. Lncourage young preschoolers Lo explore wlLh palnL, brushes, paper,
markers, glue, and oLher creauve maLerlals.
2. rovlde maLerlals, such as plasuc lnLerlocklng blocks or large, colored
wooden beads Lo sLrlng, Lo encourage young preschoolers Lo use boLh
hands.
3. Allow young preschoolers Lo learn skllls needed Lo feed Lhemselves by
helplng adulLs prepare meals.
4. Show young preschoolers how Lo carry sclssors wlLh Lhe polnLs downward.
3. Lncourage young preschoolers Lo pour from one conLalner Lo anoLher.
racuce wlLh dlerenL slzes durlng baLh ume or oLher waLer play.
6. 1alk abouL whaL comes nexL durlng Lhe day, provldlng cholces for young
preschoolers when posslble.
7. Choose acuvlues or games wlLh slmple rules Lo play. keep ln mlnd LhaL
young preschoolers may make up Lhelr own rules or change exlsung rules.
8. rovlde opporLunlues for young preschoolers Lo play durlng group acuvlues
wlLh oLher chlldren Lhelr age.
Young Preschoolers >&'HD'7#%:2*
How to Help - Try This!
8
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Older Preschoolers >&'GI'7#%:2*
What to Watch For
1. Clder preschoolers may
balance on one fooL.
2. Clder preschoolers Lyplcally
hop on one fooL.
3. Clder preschoolers may
sLeer Loys wlLh wheels.
4. klcklng a large ball wlLh
some sLrengLh ls Lyplcal of
older preschoolers.
3. Clder preschoolers may cuL
ouL slmple shapes, such as
plcLures from a magazlne.
6. Clder preschoolers may eaL
wlLh a fork and spoon.
7. 8elng able Lo serve
food Lo Lhemselves aL
meals ls Lyplcal of older
preschoolers.
8. Clder preschoolers may Lake care of Lolleung by Lhemselves, such as
ushlng LolleL or washlng hands.
9
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Older Preschoolers >&'GI'7#%:2*
How to Help - Try This!
1. lay slmple games wlLh older preschoolers LhaL requlre Lhem Lo balance on
one fooL. SwlLch feeL oen.
2. Lncourage older preschoolers Lo hop on one fooL. SwlLch feeL oen.
3. rovlde opporLunlues for older preschoolers Lo play wlLh rlde-on Loys LhaL
requlre sLeerlng, such as Lrlcycles or scooLers.
4. rovlde large balls Lo klck and Lhrow whlle playlng wlLh older preschoolers.
3. racuce uslng sclssors wlLh older preschoolers by provldlng large shapes
prlnLed on paper Lo cuL ouL.
6. LaL meals wlLh older preschoolers and encourage uslng a fork and spoon.
7. Serve meals famlly sLyle" and encourage older preschoolers Lo serve
Lhemselves from bowls and plLchers.
8. 1each older preschoolers skllls needed for Lolleung, such as pulllng panLs
up and down, wlplng, ushlng, and washlng Lhelr hands. Look for slgns
such as leg crosslng or [lggllng LhaL lndlcaLe an older preschooler may need
Lo use Lhe LolleL. Lncourage uslng words Lo descrlbe whaL Lhey need Lo do
and Lo ask for help. 8emember accldenLs wlll happen.
10
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References
8aby CenLer. (2010). 8eLrleved from: hup://www.babycenLer.com/
8aby CenLer's vldeo Channel. (2010). 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.youLube.com/user/8abyCenLervldeo - p/search/0/Pl?_gufpS
8erger, S., 1heurlng, C. & Adolph, k.L. (2006). Pow and when lnfanLs learn Lo cllmb
sLalrs. lnfanL 8ehavlor & uevelopmenL 30 (2007) 36-49. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.psych.nyu.edu/adolph/uls/l8Au07.pdf
Chlld Care lus. (1999). 1he A8C's of LolleL learnlng. ln Chlld care plus: Supporung
learnlng ln everyday semngs. 9(4). 8eLrleved from: hup://www.ccplus.org/
newsleuers/9-4.pdf
1hompson, u., Pudson, S. & Mack, M. (2008). MaLchlng chlldren and play equlpmenL: A
developmenLal approach. ln Larly Chlldhood news. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.earlychlldhoodnews.com/earlychlldhood/arucle_vlew.
aspx?Aruclelu=463
Pohmann, M. & WelkarL, u.. (1993). Lducaung young chlldren: Acuve learnlng
pracuces for preschool and chlld care programs. LxcerpL from Lducaung ?oung
Chlldren(pp.13-41), a currlculum gulde from Plgh/Scope Lducauonal 8esearch
loundauon. ?psllanu, Mlchlgan, uSA. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.ecdgroup.com/download/gh1eycxl.pdf
lanelll, v. (2006). reschoolers chlld developmenL: uevelopmenLal mllesLones.
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dev_3.hLm
Malley, C. (1991). reschooler developmenL. ln lamlly uay Care lacLs serles. AmhersL,
MA: unlverslLy of Massachuseus. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.nncc.org/Chlld.uev/presch.dev.hLml
lca, 8. 2009. Learnlng by leaps and bounds. WhaL makes a game developmenLally
approprlaLe? ?oung Chlldren 64(2): 66-67. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.[ournal.naeyc.org/bL[/200903.
uS roducL SafeLy Commlsslon. Whlch Loy for whlch chlld: A consumer's gulde for
selecung sulLable Loys. WashlngLon, uC. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/283.pdf
Zero Lo 1hree. (2010). 1lps for chooslng Loys for Loddlers. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.zeroLoLhree.org/chlld-developmenL/play/ups-for-chooslng-Loys-
for.hLml
Zero Lo 1hree. (2010). reschool prep: Pow Lo prepare your Loddler for preschool.
8eLrleved from: hup://www.zeroLoLhree.org/early-care-educauon/chlld-care/
preschool-prep-how-Lo.hLml
11
Resources
kansas klds, 8eady for Learnlng. (2010). 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.readyforlearnlng.neL/lndex.shLml
lowa SLaLe unlverslLy LxLenslon. (2000). Crowlng up L: reschool Lness
acuvlues. 8eLrleved from: hup://unyurl.com/29vklqd
LlvesLrong.com. (2010). hyslcal developmenL ln preschool chlldren. 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.llvesLrong.com/arucle/137334-physlcal-developmenL-ln-preschool-
chlldren/
Mayocllnlc.com. (2010). Chlld developmenL charL: reschool mllesLones. 8eLrleved
from: hup://www.mayocllnlc.com/healLh/chlld-developmenL/M?00136
nauonal neLwork for Chlld Care. (2010). 8eLrleved from:
hup://www.nncc.org/Chlld.uev/presch.dev.hLml
arenLs. (2010). hyslcal developmenL. 8eLrleved from: hup://www.parenLs.com/
Loddlerspreschoolers/developmenL/physlcal/
hyslcal uevelopmenL: lnfancy Lhrough reschool. (2010). 8eLrleved from:
hup://mlssourlfamllles.org/feaLures/parenungarucles/parenung11.hLm
Sanders, SLephen. (2002). Acuve for llfe: uevelopmenLally approprlaLe movemenL
programs for young chlldren. nauonal Assoclauon for Lhe Lducauon of
?oung Chlldren.
Scholasuc. (2010). Larly learnlng: MoLor skllls. 8eLrleved from:
hup://unyurl.com/27vqfx2
1rawlck-SmlLh !erey W. (2009). Larly chlldhood developmenL: A muluculLural
perspecuve, 3Lh edluon. renuce Pall. 8eLrleved from:
hup://wps.prenhall.com/cheL_LrawlcksmlLh_earlychlld_4/37/9376/2431649.
cw/lndex.hLml
unlverslLy of new Pampshlre Cooperauve LxLenslon. (2002). 1he 3, 4 and 3-year
old: hyslcal changes. 8eLrleved from: hup://unyurl.com/3xLbara
uS ueparLmenL of Lducauon. (2003). Pelplng your preschool chlld: WlLh acuvlues
for chlldren from lnfancy Lhrough age 3. 8eLrleved from:hup://www2.ed.gov/
parenLs/earlychlld/ready/preschool/preschool.pdf
12
Ior nddIfIonnI coIos of fhIs bookIof Ionso confncf
Knnsns Inronf InformnfIon !osourco Confor
3500 SW l0fh Avonuo
Tookn, KS 66604
l866?ll6?ll ToIIIroo
?85 ?8329?5 !ocnI
or downIond nf www.kIrc.org