Cognitive Development of

Preschoolers
 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.
4. Proper nutrition and the right amount of sleep are
very important for the preschoolers.
 Caregivers and teachers can do a lot in
maximizing the growth and development of
preschoolers.
 Preschoolers with special needs in inclusive
classrooms can thrive well with the appropriate
adaptations made in the classroom, materials
and activities.
 Significant Changes in Physical
growth
 Physical growth increases in the preschool years,
although it is much slower in pace than in infancy and
toddlerhood. At around 3 years of age, preschoolers
move, from the remaining baby-like features of the
toddler, toward a more slender appearance of a child.

 Toddlers have their center of gravity at the high level,

about the chest level. This is why they have difficulty
doing sudden movements without falling down.
 Preschoolers on the other hand, have their center
of gravity at a lower level, right about near the
belly button. This gives them more ability to be
stable and balanced than the toddler.
 They no longer “toddle”, that wobbly way that
toddlers walk. This also allows the preschooler to
move more “successfully” than the toddler.
 At around 5 or 6, it is the best time to begin
learning skills that require balance like riding a
bike or skating.
 By the time the child reaches three years old,
“baby or milk” teeth are already in place. The
permanent teeth which will begin to come out by
age six are also developing.
GROSS AND FINE MOTOR
DEVELOPMENT
 Gross motor development refers to acquiring
skills that involve the large muscles.
The Gross Motor Skills are categorized into three:
 Locomotor Skills are those that involve going from
one place to another, like walking, running, climbing,
skipping, hopping, creeping, galloping, and dodging.
 Non-locomotor ones are those where the child
stays in place, like bending, stretching, turning and
swaying.
 Manipulative skills are those that involve
projecting and receiving objects, like throwing,
striking, bouncing, catching and dribbling.
 Fine Motor Development
 Refers to acquiring the ability to use the smaller
muscles in the arm, hands and fingers
purposefully.
 Skills included here are picking, squeezing,
pounding, and opening things, holding and using a
writing implement.
 Also involves self-help skills like using a the spoon
and fork when eating, buttoning, zipping, combing
and brushing.
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.
Preschoolers’ Artistic Development
 Viktor Lowenfeld studied this and came up with
The Stages of drawing in early childhood:
Stage 1. Scribbling Stage- is stage begins with large zigzag
lines which later become circular markings. Soon, discrete
shapes are drawn. The child may start to name his/her
drawing towards the end of this stage.
 Stage 2. Preschematic Stage- Children at this stage tend
to give the same names to their drawings several times.
Drawings usually comprise of a prominent head with
basic elements. Later, arms, legs, hands and even facial
features are included.
 Stage 3. Schematic Stage- More elaborate scenes are
depicted. Children usually draw from experience and
exposure. Drawings may include houses, trees, the sun,
sky and people.
Preschoolers’ Nutrition and Sleep
 The kind of nutrition a preschooler gets has far-reaching
effect on his physical growth and development. Blood
supply to the muscles are helping preschoolers regain
energy.
 Having too much or too little both have their negative
effects.
 It is important for preschoolers to get sufficient amount
of rest and sleep. Preschoolers benefit from about 10-12
hours of sleep each day. It is when they are asleep that
vital biological processes that affect physical and cognitive
development take place.
 During sleep, especially in the dream state(rapid eye
movement stage), growth hormones are released.
Thank you!