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The Family with a Preschooler

The preschool period traditionally includes ages 3, 4, and 5 years. Although physical growth slows considerably during this period, personality and cognitive growth are substantial. This is also an important period of growth for parents. They may be unsure about how much independence and responsibility for self-care they should give their preschooler. Most children of this age want to do things for themselves – choose their clothing and dress by themselves, feed themselves completely, wash their own hair, and so forth. As a result, parents of a preschooler may find their child dressed in one red and one green sock, going to preschool with unwashed ears, or trying to eat soup with a fork. They need reassurance that this behaviour is typical and helps a child develop more initiative and control in life. They also may need some guidance in separating those tasks a preschooler can accomplish independently from those that still require some adult supervision so that they can sensible set limits. Setting limits protects children from harming themselves or others while participating in all the interesting experiences available to them.

Nursing Assessment of Growth and Development of the Preschooler

A. Physical Growth

* A definite change in the body contour occurs during the preschool years.

Toddler | Preschool |

* The wide-legged Gait * Prominent Lordosis * Protuberant Abdomen | * Slimmer * Taller * Childlike Proportions |

* Contour changes are so definite that future body type becomes apparent.

* Ectomorphic (slim body build)

* Endomorphic (large body build)

* A major step forward is a child’s ability to learn extended language, which is achieved not only by motor but also by cognitive development.

* Lymphatic begins to increase in size, particularly the tonsils, and levels of IgG and IgA antibodies increase.

* Physiologic splitting of heart sounds may be present...