Resources on Early Learning
FAQs
What Do I Need to Know about Physical Development in Young Children?
What is the general pattern of physical development from birth to 5?
Height and Weight. A child’s height and weight change dramatically over the first five years of life. Newborns typically measure from 18-1/2 to 21-1/2 inches in length. A child usually weighs between 6 and 9 pounds at birth. A premature baby (born four or more weeks early) or a baby who is a twin may be less than 5-1/2 pounds at birth. Most children will triple their birth weight by their first birthdays and quadruple their birth weight by age 2. By the time they are 4 years old, children are likely to have doubled their birth length. These ranges vary, of course, depending on such factors as
- the size of the parents,
- the amount and quality of what the expectant mothers and the children eat and drink,
- the amount of exercise that the child gets,
- the child’s general health, and
- the quality of the child’s medical care.
A child who is not getting enough nourishment, sleep, exercise, and attention may experience slowed growth. However, even the best conditions will not make children grow taller than their genes have determined for them.
A child's parents and pediatrician or other health care provider may want to chart her growth in height and weight. If this growth slows, if the child's weight is not proportional to her height, or if her height or weight falls below the fifth percentile for her age, the pediatrician can arrange tests to learn more about the reason for the slow growth. The earlier an abnormal condition is found, the earlier it can be treated (American Medical Association Medical Library, 1999).
Growth charts are available online and can be printed out so parents can keep their own records. Here are a few good growth charts from the National Center for Health Statistics (2001):
- Boys Length-for-Age and Weight-for-Age, Birth to 36 Months
- Girls Length-for-Age and Weight-for-Age, Birth to 36 Months
- Boys Stature-for-Age and Weight-for-Age, Age 2 to 20 Years
- Girls Stature-for-Age and Weight-for-Age, Age 2 to 20 Years
Motor Skills. Children also vary in how quickly they develop specific motor skills. Motor skills are the physical abilities a child needs to move effectively within the environment. One child may crawl early but walk later than others. Some children may skip crawling entirely. A parent who is concerned that his child is not learning new motor skills as quickly as other children should discuss this concern with his child’s pediatrician or other health care provider.
Developmental Milestones. Here are some developmental milestones in physical development that parents may want to look for.
Newborn |
Weighs between 6 and 9 pounds, has rooting and sucking reflexes, needs to be held with head and neck supported. |
3-month-old |
Holds up head, rolls over from stomach to back, follows a moving object with eyes, and wiggles and kicks. |
6-month-old |
Weighs twice birth weight, can sit with support and roll over, can hold an object, smiles and laughs, looks at faces and sounds. |
8-month-old |
Sits up without help, rocks on hands and knees, and picks up small objects and transfers them to the other hand. Some may begin to crawl. |
1-year-old |
Weighs three times birth weight, crawls and pulls up to stand, may walk alone, picks things up, waves “bye-bye.” |
18-month-old |
Walks and runs, climbs steps holding on or by crawling, tosses a ball, feeds self, rides small-wheeled toys, and opens drawers and cabinets. |
2-year-old |
Weighs four times birth weight, walks alone, goes up and down steps holding onto hand or rail, scribbles with crayon, may start using the toilet. |
3-year-old |
Grows more slowly, helps dress self, hops and tiptoes, can balance on one foot, opens doors, pedals a tricycle, uses the toilet. |
4-year-old |
Has doubled birth length, dresses self, runs and skips, stacks blocks, bounces and throws a ball. |
(Information from National Network for Child Care, 1995, and American Academy of Pediatrics, 1993.)
What should parents do if they are concerned about their child’s development?
Parents who wonder whether their child’s development is “normal” may want to compare their child’s progress to the milestones for typical children in books or in the Web resources listed below. If parents suspect there may be a problem or if there is a substantial difference in a child’s development from what is suggested in these lists of milestones, parents can contact the child’s pediatrician or other health care provider and ask for an appointment. It may help to remember that, at times, a physical problem such as frequent illness may slow development.
What Illinois resources are available for children who may have special developmental needs?
Children whose parents suspect they may have special needs have many resources to help them in Illinois. Parents can contact:
- Early Interventions: Illinois Department of Human Services
This site contains information on finding regional Child and Family Connections Agencies as well as resources and contact information helpful to parents.
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32009 - Developmental Screening
Learn more about getting developmental screening for your child.
http://ccbirthto5.org/devscreening.html - Help Me Grow Helpline
This service from the Illinois Department of Human Services helps connect residents, particularly women and children, with the services they need. This service includes information and advocacy.
800-323-4769 - Illinois School Districts’ Responsibilities toward Early Intervention Services
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must participate in finding and serving children in need of early intervention. They work closely with Child and Family Connections Offices and participate in their Local Interagency Councils. LEAs are also required to participate in the transitioning of eligible children to preschool programs as they approach their third birthdays.
http://www.isbe.net/earlychi/html/EI_district_response.htm - Early Intervention Clearinghouse
The Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse provides library and information services. The Clearinghouse contains information on health, education, and developmental concerns of infancy and early childhood. Professionals, policy makers, students, and parents can use the services of this statewide project. Call 800-852-4302, or email clearinghouse@eosinc.com for more information. - STARNET (Support and Technical Assistance Regionally)
The STARNET system serves young children, families, and communities in Illinois, working to develop more effective partnerships and linkages among families, professionals, and systems. STARNET provides training and technical assistance to early childhood special education preschool staff and families of young children. - For more information regarding early childhood special education services, a parent or teacher may send an email message to Pamela Reising Rechner (email: preising@isbe.net).
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (1993). Caring for your baby and young child: Birth to age 5. New York: Bantam Books.
- American Medical Association Medical Library. (1999). Children's health/growth and development [Online]. Available: http://www.medem.com/medlb/articleslb.cfm?sub_cat=105 [2005, May 11].
- National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). (2001). Clinical growth charts [Online]. Available: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/nhanes/growthcharts/
clinical_charts.htm [2005, May 11]. - National Network for Child Care. (1995). Child development [Online]. Available:.http://cyfernet.ces.ncsu.edu/cyfdb/browse_2pageAnncc.php?subcat=
Child+Development&search=NNCC&search_type=browse [2005, May 11].
Illinois Early Learning Tip Sheets
- Building Endurance: Let's Get Physical!
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/endurance.htm - Do You Hear What I Hear?
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/hearing.htm - Eyes Right! Your Child’s Vision
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/vision.htm - Eyes Right! Find Amblyopia Early
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/amblyopia.htm - Organized Sports and Young Children
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/sports.htm - Physical Fitness for Preschool-Age Children
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/fitness-preschool.htm - Physical Fitness for Toddlers
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/fitness.htm - Say Yes to Healthy Snacks!
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/healthysnacks.htm - Things to Do while You're Waiting: Physical Activities
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/physicalactivities.htm
Web Resources
- Your Child’s Growth
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/childs_growth.html - Look What I Can Do—Milestones of Developmental Growth
http://www.state.il.us/agency/dhs/earlyint/ei02parentlwicd.html - Normal Growth
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/growth/well/normal-growth.htm - Illinois Early Childhood: Special Education—Birth to Five Resources
http://www.isbe.net/earlychi/html/birth_5.htm - What Is a Growth Disorder?
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/endocrine/
growth_disorder.html - Motor Development
http://www.education.pitt.edu/ocd/publications/
parentingguides/MotorDevelopment.pdf - Developmental Milestones
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/interactive/milestones/index.html
Other Resources
- Clark, Jane E.; Clements, Rhonda L.; Guddemi, Marci; Morgan, Don W.; Pica, Rae; Pivarnik, James M.; Rudisill, Mary; Small, Eric; & Virgilio, Stephen J.(2002). Active start: A statement of physical activity guidelines for children birth to five years. Oxon Hill, MD: AAPHERD Publications.
- Kagan, Jerome, & Gall, Susan B. (Eds.). (1998). The Gale encyclopedia of childhood and adolescence. Detroit: Gale Research.
- Spock, Benjamin. (2001). Dr. Spock's the first two years: The emotional and physical needs of children from birth to age two. Riverside, NJ: Simon & Schuster.
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