POCKET GUIDE - Bright Futures - American Academy of Pediatrics

■■ early Childhood
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early childhood is a period during which physical, cognitive,
social, and emotional development are tightly linked. The
period is divided into 2 stages.
Toddler (ages 1–2). toddlers are characterized by a growing
sense of independence and sometimes by struggles over food
and refusing to eat certain foods. They are developing fine
motor skills, so eating is often messy.
Young child (ages 3–4). Young children are increasingly
competent at self-feeding, but they still prefer eating with
their hands rather than using utensils. They are becoming
more interested in trying new foods and participating
in family meals.
■ Children quadruple their birth weight by age 2.
■ Between ages 2 and 5, children gain an average of 4.5 to
6.5 lbs and grow 2.5 to 3.5 inches per year.
■ As growth rates decline during early childhood, children’s
appetites decrease, and the amount of food they consume
may become unpredictable.
■ As toddlers’ eating skills develop, they progress from eating
soft pieces of food to eating foods with more texture.
■ toddlers tend to be leery of new foods and may refuse to
eat them. They need to look at the new foods and touch,
smell, and taste them many times before they accept them.
■ toddlers are unpredictable. They may like certain foods
one day and dislike them the next. They may eat a lot one
day and very little the next.
■ By age 3 or 4, children are able to use their fingers to push
food onto a spoon, pick up food with a fork, and drink
from a cup.
■ Most young children become more curious about food
than they were as toddlers, although they still may be
reluctant to try new foods.
■ As young children grow, they become less impulsive and
can follow instructions. They can serve themselves from
bowls and plates and pass food to others. Young children
are more comfortable eating in unfamiliar places than
they were as toddlers.
■ early childhood is a key time for promoting the development
of motor skills and good habits for physical activity
that will last a lifetime.
■ Parents need to plan activities so that children can master
control of their large muscles but still have time to just play.
■ Physical activities (running, jumping, climbing, throwing,
catching) and simple games (simon says, chase, tag) are
appropriate during early childhood.
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Bright FUTURES
Early Childhood