UNIT 3: Early Childhood

Module 15: Preschoolers’ Physical Development

Riki L. Magayanes
BTVTED-GFD 1B
ACTIVITY

Examine the pictures below. Think about the physical characteristics of preschoolers. Put a caption for the
pictures.

Picture 1 and 2

Preschoolers are very active and curious explorers.

Picture 3 and 4

One of their talents is the ability to maintain balance.

Picture 5 and 6

One of their locomotor skills that they acquired was climbing.

Picture 7 and 8

Picture 9 and 10
Picture 11

Preschoolers showing off their long trunks, arms,

Picture 12

They are establishing connections and forming

ANALYSIS

From the captions you wrote for the pictures, what physical characteristics of preschoolers came out? Write
them below.

 During the preschool years, there is a consistent growth in the height, weight, and muscle tone of
children. In comparison to toddlers, preschoolers tend to be taller and slimmer. Their legs and trunks
keep growing while their heads appear to be proportionally smaller.

SYNAPSE STRENGTHENERS
1. Research on the recommended food guide for preschoolers for young children. Interview a mother about
what her preschooler eats in a week. Write down the types of food and compare it with the recommended
food guide.
 Parents have the obligation to ensure their child has regular and nutritious meals that correspond to
their age-appropriate balanced diet. The food guide recommended for preschoolers advocates a variety
of healthy food options from five food groups, including vegetables, fruits, grains, low-fat dairy, and
protein.

2. Surf the net. Make a collection of gross motor and fine motor activities for preschoolers that caregivers and
teachers can use to support their development.

Certainly, here are some gross motor and fine motor activities for preschoolers that caregivers and teachers
can use to support their development:
 Gross Motor Activities:
1. Obstacle Course: Create an obstacle course with items like hula hoops, cones, tunnels, and balancing
beams that the children have to go through or over.
2. Simon Says: Play Simon Says, where children have to follow the leader's instructions like jumping,
hopping, or running in place.
3. Parachute Play: Use a parachute to encourage children to run underneath, toss balls onto, or try to bounce
a balloon on it.
4. Dance Party: Play music and let the children dance to the rhythm, this helps to develop balance and
coordination.
5. Beanbag Toss: Create a target area with a hula hoop or a cardboard box and have the children throw
beanbags into the target.
Fine Motor Activities:
1. Playdough: Give children playdough to squeeze, roll, and mold with their fingers to improve hand
strength.
2. Beading: Provide beads and strings to make bracelets, necklaces, or keychains.
3. Puzzles: Use puzzles with large pieces, and encourage children to practice fitting the pieces together.
4. Painting: Allow children to use paintbrushes or their fingers to create artwork and develop hand-eye
coordination.
5. Cutting: Give children scissors and provide them with paper to practice cutting straight or wavy lines.

These activities not only support preschoolers' gross and fine motor development but also enhance their
social, emotional, and cognitive development.

RESEARCH CONNECTION

Read a research that is related to one of the big ideas on the physical development of preschoolers. Fill out
the matrix below.

Source: "The Relationship between Preschool Children's Motor Competence, Engagement in Physical Activity, and
Sedentary Behavior" by Kristi M. King et al

Problem
This study aimed to examine the relationship between preschool children's motor competence,
engagement in physical activity, and sedentary behavior.
Research Methodology
The study included 145 preschool-aged children from two schools in the United States. The researchers
assessed the children's motor competence using a standardized test that measured their proficiency in
running, jumping, and throwing. They also used accelerometers to measure the children's physical
activity levels and sedentary behavior over a period of seven days.
Findings
The results of the study showed that preschool children who had higher levels of motor competence
were more physically active and engaged in less sedentary behavior than those with lower levels of
motor competence. The researchers also found that boys had higher levels of motor competence and
were more physically active than girls.
Conclusion
The findings of this study highlight the importance of promoting gross motor skills development in
preschool-aged children. By improving their motor competence, children are more likely to engage in
physical activity and less likely to engage in sedentary behavior, which can have long-term health
benefits. This research can inform the development of interventions and programs that aim to improve
How are the findings of this research useful to teachers?

 Teachers can use the findings to assess the motor competence of their students. By assessing the motor
skills of preschool children, teachers can identify children who may need additional support or
intervention to improve their motor skills.

REFLECTION

From this Module on the Physical Development of Preschoolers, I realized that…

 Preschoolers experience significant growth in their physical abilities during this stage, including
improvements in coordination, balance, and gross motor skills such as running, jumping, and climbing.
 Fine motor skills such as drawing, cutting, and writing also develop rapidly during the preschool years.
 It is important for caregivers and educators to provide opportunities for preschoolers to engage in physical
activity and play to support their physical development.
 Preschoolers' nutrition needs are crucial during this stage, as they require a balanced diet to support their
growth and development.

Overall, understanding the physical development of preschoolers is important for supporting their growth and
well-being during this critical stage of development.