MODULE 15

PRESCHOOLER’S
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Presented by:
Sionny E. Gandicela
Jayson Liaso
“A child reminds us that playtime is an
essential part of our daily routine.”
Preschooler years (3-5 year old)
,,

 Commonly known as “the years

before formal schooling begins.”
 Years before formal school
 Important as it lays foundation to
later development
 Teachers who might be interested
to teach and care need to be
knowledgeable about them to be
truly intentional and effective.
 Group Activity

Directions: Examine the pictures given to

your group. Thinks about the physical
characteristics of preschoolers and put a
caption in each picture’s given.
From the captions you wrote for
the pictures, what physical
characteristics of preschoolers
came out?
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

1. There are significant changes in physical growth of

preschoolers.
2. The preschoolers’ physical development is marked
by the acquisition of gross and fine motor skills.
3. Preschoolers can express themselves artistically at a
very early age.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

4. Proper nutrition and right amount of sleep are very

important for the preschoolers.
5. Caregivers and teachers can do a lot in maximizing the
growth and development of preschoolers.
6. Preschoolers with special needs in inclusive classrooms can
thrive well with the appropriate adaptations made in the
classroom, materials and activities.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Significant in Physical Growth

Physical Growth Changes in Preschool Years:

 Preschoolers experience slower but steady physical

growth, transitioning from a toddler's baby-like
features to a more slender child-like appearance.
 Their trunk, arms, and legs become longer during this
stage.
Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Significant in Physical Growth

Center of Gravity Shift:

 Toddlers have a high center of gravity around
the chest level, making sudden movements
challenging.
 Preschoolers' center of gravity shifts lower, near
the belly button, enhancing their stability and
balance.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Significant in Physical Growth

Improved Stability and Mobility:

 Preschoolers abandon the wobbly "toddling" walk
seen in toddlers and move with greater steadiness.
 This increased stability allows preschoolers to move
more successfully, making it an ideal time to learn
balance-related skills like riding a bike or skating.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Significant in Physical Growth

Dental Development and Hygiene:
 By age three, preschoolers have all their primary
(baby) teeth in place, while permanent teeth start
developing.
 The preschool years are crucial for establishing good
dental hygiene habits to support long-term oral
health.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Gross and Fine Motor Development

Gross Motor Development
 refers to acquiring skills that involve the large muscles.

 Categorized into three:

a. Locomotor-(walking from one place to another)
e.g., walking, running
b. Non-locomotor skills (child stays in place)
e.g., bending, stretching
c. Manipulative skills (projecting and receiving objects)
e.g., throwing, catching and dribbling
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Gross and Fine Motor Development

Fine Motor Development
 refers to acquiring the ability to use the smaller muscles in
the arm, hands, and fingers purposefully.

 Skills: Fine motor skills include tasks such as picking,

squeezing, pounding, opening things, holding and using a
writing implement, self-help skills like using the spoon and
fork when eating, buttoning, zipping, combing and
brushing.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Gross and Fine Motor Development

Fine Motor Development

 Diverse Experiences: Fine motor development can vary

depending on the environment. Urban areas may expose
children to technology-related fine motor skills like
keyboarding and using smartphones. In contrast, other
children may develop fine motor skills through activities
such as digging soil, making toys out of sticks, cans and
bottle caps or enjoy clay, play dough, and finger painting.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Gross and Fine Motor Development

Fine Motor Development
 By the end of the preschool years most children manage to
hold a pencil with their thumb and fingers, draw pictures,
write letters, use scissors, do stringing and threading
activities. They can also do self-help skills like eating and
dressing up independently. Significant progress in fine
motor skills can be expected of preschoolers especially if
they are aptly supported and appropriate activities are
provided for them.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Gross and Fine Motor Development

Fine Motor Development
 Handedness, or the preference of the use of one hand
over the other, is usually established around 4 years
of age. Earlier than this, pre-schoolers can be
observed to do tasks using their hands
interchangeably. We can observe a preschooler
shifting the crayon from left to right and back again
while working on a coloring activity.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Preschoolers’ Artistic Development

At the heart of the preschooler years is their interest to
draw and make other forms of artistic expressions.
Viktor Lowenfeld Stages of Drawing in Early childhood:
Stage 1: Scribbling Stage
Stage 2: Preschematic Stage
Stage 3: Schematic stage
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Preschoolers’ Artistic Development

Viktor Lowenfeld Stages of Drawing in Early childhood:
Stage 1: Scribbling Stage
 Begins with large zig-zag lines, evolving into circular
markings.
 Gradually includes discrete shapes.
 Towards the end of this stage, children may start
naming their drawings.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Preschoolers’ Artistic Development

Viktor Lowenfeld Stages of Drawing in Early childhood:
Stage 2: Preschematic Stage
 May feature early representations, becoming recognizable to
adults.
 Children often give the same names to their drawings
repeatedly.
 Drawings typically highlight a central figure with basic elements
and may later include arms, legs, hands and facial
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Preschoolers’ Artistic Development

Viktor Lowenfeld Stages of Drawing in Early childhood:
Stage 3: Schematic stage
 Depicts more complex scenes based on experience and exposure.
 Common elements like houses, trees, the sun, sky, and people are
included.
 Drawings begin to follow a ground line rather than floating in the air.
 Repetition is a hallmark of early drawing, necessitating a ready
supply of materials like scratch paper, crayons, and pens.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Preschoolers’ Artistic Development

Remember!
The preschoolers' representations or drawing does not only
involve fine motor skills but also cognitive skills. Childrens'
drawings allow us to have a glimpse of how they understand
themselves and the world around them.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Preschoolers’ Nutrition and Sleep

Preschooler Nutrition:
 Nutritional intake significantly impacts a preschooler's physical
growth and development.
o Nutritional status
o Both excess and insufficient
nutrition
o Malnutrition
o Nutrition month initiatives and
government programs aim to
promote proper nutrition among
preschoolers.
 Big Ideas about the Physical Development of Preschoolers

Preschoolers’ Nutrition and Sleep

Preschooler Sleep:
 It is important for preschoolers to get sufficient amount of rest
and sleep.
o Benefit from 10-12 hours of sleep each day.
 Vital biological processes take placed
 Growth hormones are released
 Blood supply increased
 Brain activity increased (while
dreaming)
 A Quick Look at What Preschoolers Can Do: (Physical Skills)
Philippine Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS)

Gross motor: 36-48 Months

 Hops 1 to 3 steps on preferred foot
 Skips (with alternating feet)
 Jumps and turns
 Stands on one leg without falling for at
least 5 seconds
 Throws a ball overhead with control of direction
 Throws a ball overhead with control of speed
 Kicks a ball with control of speed
 A Quick Look at What Preschoolers Can Do: (Physical Skills)
Philippine Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS)

Fine-motor: 36-48 Months

 Consistently turns pages of a picture or
story book one page at a time, looking
at pictures with interest
 Purposefully copies diagonal lines
 Purposefully bisects a cross
 Purposefully copies a square
 Purposefully copies a triangle
 Cuts with scissors following a line
 A Quick Look at What Preschoolers Can Do: (Physical Skills)
Philippine Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS)

Fine-motor: 49-60 Months

 Copies a simple pattern of different basic shapes
 Draws a human figure (head, eyes, mouth, trunk,
arms, legs, etc.) without prompts
 Draws a house without prompts using geometric forms
 Colors with strokes staying within the lines
 A Quick Look at What Preschoolers Can Do: (Physical Skills)
Philippine Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS)

Personal Care and Hygiene (Self-Help Skills): 36-48 Months

 Pours from pitcher without spillage
 Feeds self using spoon without spillage
 Dresses without assistance except for buttons and tying laces
 Puts on socks independently
 A Quick Look at What Preschoolers Can Do: (Physical Skills)
Philippine Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS)

Personal Care and Hygiene (Self-Help Skills): 49-60 Months

 Feeds self using fingers without spillage
 Prepares own food
 Dresses without assistance, including buttoning and tying
 Wipes/cleans him/herself after a bowel movement
 Brushes teeth after meals without having to be told
QUESTION!
As future educators what is our role in preschoolers’
physical growth and development?
 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and
Development of the Preschooler

Optimum physical development of

preschoolers is largely influenced by the
supportive caregivers (parents and teachers)
who provide a stimulating environment and
appropriate activities for the children.
 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and Development of the Preschooler

For all Preschoolers

a. Engage preschool children in simple games that involve
running and walking.
b. Provide them with toys for catching and throwing such as soft
large balls and bean bags.
c. Have balancing activities for preschoolers. Use low balance
beams and lines on the classroom floor or playground.
Montessori schools have blue or red lines on their preschool
classroom floors.
 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and Development of the Preschooler

For three-year-olds
d. Allow opportunities for rough and tumble play like in a grassy
area or soft mats. Keen observation and monitoring is, of
course expected to keep them safe from injury.
.

e. Ensure that preschoolers get enough rest and sleep. Setting a

routine for bed time is ideal.
.

f. Model good eating habits to preschoolers. Encourage more

fruits, vegetables, water and fresh juices, rather than
processed
foods, sugary snacks and sodas.
 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and Development of the Preschooler

For three-year-olds
g. Encourage development of hand-eye coordination by
providing large buttons or old beads to string on a shoe lace.
.

h. Play ball. Show children how to throw, catch, and kick balls of
.
different sizes.
i. Show children how to hop like a rabbit, tiptoe like a bird,
.
waddle like a duck, slither like a snake, and run like a deer.
j. Encourage free expression in art projects. Avoid asking what"
children are drawing. Three-year-olds may not know or
care,
but simply enjoy the process of drawing.
 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and Development of the Preschooler

For three-year-olds
k. Provide a variety of art experiences. Make play dough,
create collages from magazine pictures, fabric,
wallpaper, and newsprint. Encourage children to
experiment with new media like wire and cork, soda
straws, string, or yarn. Teach children to mix different
colors with paint.
 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and Development of the Preschooler

For four-year-olds
l. Encourage physical development. Play follow the leader.
Pretend to walk like various animals.
.

m. Set up an obstacle course indoors with challenges such as

crawling, climbing, leaping, balancing, and running
across stepping stones.
.

n. Encourage walking with a beanbag on the head.

 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and Development of the Preschooler

For five-year-olds
o. Encourage body coordination and sense of balance by
playing “Follow the Leader” with skipping, galloping, and
hopping. Skip or jump rope to music, teach folk
dances and games, provide a balance beam, a tree for
climbing, and a knotted rope suspended from a sturdy
frame.
.

p. Teach sack-walking and "twist-em," "statue," or freeze"

games to provide an outlet for their drive for physical
activity.
 The Roles of Caregivers in the in the Growth and Development of the Preschooler

For five-year-olds
o. Play games that can teach right and left directions, like
"Hokey-Pokey," Looby-Loo," and "Simon Says.“
,

I. Help children learn to use a pair of scissors by letting

them cut out coupons.
REFLECTION!

From this Module on the Physical

Development of Preschoolers, I realize
that…
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
GOD BLESS!