Preschool Child Development: Sleep, Motor Skills & Growth

Introduction: Early Childhood Development for Preschool Educators

At a recent meeting for preschool teachers, a childhood physical development expert covered a range of topics about three- to five-year-olds. The session addressed sleep difficulties, handedness, nutrition, toilet accidents, drawing and creativity, the distinction between fantasy and reality, temper tantrums, and the benefits and limitations of preschool programs — all of which are essential considerations for caregivers supporting early childhood development.

Sleep Difficulties and Nighttime Waking

The professional first covered the topic of resolving sleeping difficulties. Many parents are concerned because they hear their son or daughter regularly wake up during the night, and they feel this is why their child is tired in the morning. Dr. Richard Ferber suggested the problem is not so much the waking itself as it is the child's inability to fall back to sleep. Parents should make sure the child falls asleep in the same room he or she will see upon waking during the night. Keeping the environment consistent and familiar will make the room more conducive to sleep.

Handedness and Fine Motor Development

Another subject discussed was handedness — the primary hand that a child begins to use across a range of tasks. According to Dr. Arnold Gesell, a majority of children show a handedness preference by age three, and most have established one by school age. It is possible to identify the dominant hand by observing how frequently it is used for activities such as writing and sports.

Toddlers who are still developing motor control should not be encouraged to use one hand over the other. They should be handed items at the center of their body so they have a free choice of hands. However, children over five who are still using both hands interchangeably but inadequately may begin to experience coordination or reading problems. Caregivers can encourage fine motor development of one hand through activities such as crafts and puzzles (Gale).

Nutrition and Food Acceptance in Young Children

Nutrition is another important preschool issue. Many young children will only eat specific foods, making it difficult for parents to provide well-balanced meals. Burt and Hertzler found that caregivers should expose children to different foods as early as possible: "If only a limited diet is served, the child only enjoys a few foods." Caregivers can also improve nutritional habits by involving children in meal preparation (Birch).