CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR S.C. TEACHER CADET COURSE | EXPERIENCING EDUCATION, TENTH EDITION
Preschool Development (Two to Six Years)
During this stage, physical growth slows down, but is still very obvious. By age three, the average child weighs thirty-two pounds and is thirty-eight inches tall. By the end of this period,
at age six, the average child weighs forty-eight pounds and is forty-eight inches tall. Girls are
still slightly smaller and shorter than boys.
The child is moving from gross motor skills (big muscles) to small motor skills. For example,
children can throw a big ball before they can use scissors. Children of this age need much physical activity. Sample activities for children of this age include games such as “Simon Says” and
songs such as “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands.”
Middle Childhood Development (Six to Twelve Years)
During this stage, physical growth is slow, but steady. By age twelve, the child is approximately
five feet tall and weighs around eighty pounds. Of course, there is much variance in height and
weight at this age. Generally, girls are taller and heavier than boys by the end of middle childhood. Children refine small muscle and motor skills during this period.
Between the ages of six to twelve, the major growth and change is in the cognitive domain.
Adolescent Development (Eleven to Eighteen Years)
During this period of “raging hormones,” there is a two-year difference in growth spurts. Girls
experience this growth spurt at approximately age 10½ and boys at 12½. This growth spurt
is asynchronous: the extremities grow before the main parts, such as the feet before the legs
and the hands before the arms. This is the cause for the awkward, clumsy stage many adolescents experience. At this time, the oil glands and sweat glands also increase in production,
often causing pimples.
Big changes are next – the development of sex characteristics. Changes in primary sex characteristics, those directly related to reproduction, occur. Also, it is during this time that secondary
sex characteristics (those not necessary for reproduction), such as growth of facial hair and
breast development, occur.
An important concept titled “the secular trend” indicates that physical and sexual changes are
occurring at earlier ages than in previous generations.
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Theme I: Experiencing Learning
Unit 3: Growth and Development
In general, infants develop according to the following steps:
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Sit: six months
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Creep: eight months
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Crawl: ten months
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Stand: twelve months
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Walk: thirteen months