Preschool Physical Development 3 & 4 year olds

Gross Motor SkillsFine Motor SkillsSelf Help Skills

General Facts Growth slows down Posture is upright Average height –38 inches Average weight –32 pounds

Gross Motor- 3 yearsUse of the large muscles

•Arms•Legs•Back

-Hold up head-Roll over-Sit up-Crawl-Stand holding on-Stand alone-Walk

Walking-sequential skill

Climbing Stairs - sequential Ascending 2 Feet / Stair Belly or butt slide down, feet first Descending2 Feet /Stair Alternate feet Ascending Alternate feet descending

Throwing a Ball

Underhand – small ball goes straight up

Overhand – small ball goes straight down

Best to use a large soft ball

Catching a Ball

•Two arms pull to chest•Large ball or bean bag suggested

Kicking a ball Ball should be stationary Rolled ball goes under leg

Balance On beam-walk heel to toe or

sideways Balance one foot-8 sec. Hopping-one foot-3 consecutive

hops, then stop for balance Jumping-2 feet, can go forever

Pedaling Big Wheels are recommended

Fine Motor Skills Use of the small muscles

Fingers, toes

Drawing- sequential skill From shoulder, fist grip From elbow, fist grip From wrist, finger grip From fingers, correct grip Simple shapes, Trace more complex shapes

Drawing a Face Features are positioned but not

proportioned

Drawing a figure Body has three parts

Cutting –sequential skill Can cut paper in half Cannot cut on a line

Self Help Skills Toilet training Eating Dressing Bathing Grooming

Toilet Training Bowels First

Eating Spoons-fist grip used Fork-stabbing motion Knife-spread Cup- 2 hands Capable of clearing their place

Dressing

Give choices, not total freedom Clothing backwards, inside-out, not

matched, lopsided Fasteners-one piece zippers, large

buttons and snaps, unbuckle Shoes on wrong feet Cannot tie, need velcro

Bathing

Capable, but never leave alone

Grooming Able to brush teeth and comb hair,

but need parental help