Toddler and Preschool Flashcards
Definition of life cycle stages
Toddlers—1-3 years
- Characterized by rapid increase in gross & fine motor skills
- Increase in independence, exploration, language
Preschool-age children—3-5 years
- Characterized by increasing autonomy, broader social circumstances, increasing language skills, & expanding self-control
Normal growth and development
From birth to 1 year, average infant triples in birth weight
Growth velocity starts to slow down after 1 year of age
- Body structure developed
Toddlers gain ~0.25 kg (~0.5 lb) and grow ~1 cm per month
Preschoolers gain ~2 kg (4.4 lb) and grow ~7 cm per year
don’t require as frequent feedings because stomach is larger and can hold food for larger => decreased interest in food
Physiological development in toddlers
Walking begins as a “toddle,” improving in balance & agility
Cognitive development of toddlers
Transitions from self-centered to more interactive
Vocabulary expands
Temper tantrums common
Cognitive development of toddlers
Transitions from self-centered to more interactive
Vocabulary expands
Temper tantrums common
Development of feeding skills of toddlers
Gross & fine motor development improved
12 months—refined pincer grasp
- Able to pick up small objects
12 to 14 months— often completely weaned
- Increased sign of independence
18-24 months—able to use tongue to clean lips & has developed rotary chewing
- Able to handle pieces of meat, raw fruits and vegetables and multiple food textures
Should be seated at a high chair or booster seat
Development of feeding skills of preschool age children
Can use a fork, spoon, & cup
Spills occur less frequently
Foods should be cut into bite-size pieces
- Ex: grapes and hot dogs
Adult supervision still required
Appetite related to growth
Appetite increases prior to the “spurts” of growth
Child wants to be helpful
Include child in meal selection & preparation
What are food jags and what to do
When a child will only eat a few select food items meal after meal
- Often changes over time to different food(s)
Serve new foods with familiar foods & when child is hungry
- Aim to have one food the child likes at each meal
- Do NOT cater to the child or make separate meals
Energy requirements for this age group
Individual needs: widely vary from child to child. Largely dependent on:
Growth, physical activity
2-3 years: 1000-1400 kcal/day
4-8 years boys: 1200-2000 kcal/day
4-8 years girls: 1200-1800 kcal/day
Needs can easily vary from day to day, these numbers are just a guide
*less growth in preschool years than toddler
Nutrient needs for CHO
45-65% of kcal/day
The RDA for CHO is 130 g/day
Nutrient needs for Fat
AMDR:
1-3 years: 30-40% of kcal/day
4-8 years: 25-35% of kcal/day
Do not restrict fat in young children, needs are higher
Provides essential fatty acids for brain development
Whole/homogenized (3.25%) milk 12-24 months, then switch to 2% milk
Nutrient needs for PRO
AMDR:
1-3 years: 5-20% of kcal/day
Typically use: 1.1 g/kg/day
4-8 years: 10-30% of kcal/day
Typically use 0.95 g/kg/day
Particular nutrients of concern
Calcium and iron
Calcium DRI: 1-3 yrs: 700 mg/d; 4-8 yrs: 1000 mg/d
Iron DRI:
1-3 years of age: 7 mg/day
4-8 years of age: 10 mg/day
- Limit milk consumption to ~500mL/day
Dangers of too much iron
Leading cause of poisoning deaths for children < 6 years of age in US
Mild overdose:
- Nausea & vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
Severe overdose:
- Shock
- Liver damage
- Coma
- Death
Iron toxicity
- Intake > 30 mg/kg body weight
- Induce vomiting immediately!
Causes and prevention of constipation
Causes: “stool holding” and diet
Prevention: Adequate fiber and fluid
Fibre recommendations (AI g/d):
1-3 years old: 19 g of fibre/d
3-5 years old: 25 g of fibre/d
