Topic Overview
How does a child grow and develop between the ages of 2 and 5?
The ages between 2 and 5 are often called the preschool years.
During these years, children change from clumsy toddlers into lively explorers
of their world. A child develops in these main areas:
-
Physical development. In these years, a
child becomes stronger and starts to look longer and leaner. Physical growth is
slower than in the first 2 years of life, but the outward changes can be
dramatic.
-
Cognitive development. A child this age
makes great strides in being able to think and reason. In these years, children
learn their letters, counting, and colors. Their play becomes more creative as
they learn to imagine.
-
Emotional and social development. Between the ages of 2 and 5, children gradually learn how to manage
their feelings. They begin to feel ashamed or guilty when they do something
wrong. By age 5, friends become important.
-
Language. The ability to use words grows
quickly in these years. By age 2, most children can say at least 50 words. By
age 5, a child may know thousands of words and be able to carry on
conversations and tell stories.
-
Sensory and motor development. By age 2,
most children can walk up stairs one at a time, kick a ball, and draw simple
strokes with a pencil. By age 5, most can dress and undress themselves; draw a
person with a head, body, arms, and legs; and write some small and capital
letters.
Children usually move from one important point (or
milestone) in their development to the next in a natural pattern. For example,
most children say single words before they speak in sentences. But each child
grows and gains skills at his or her own pace. It is common for a child to be
ahead in one area, such as language, but a little behind in another.
Learning what is normal for children this age can help you spot problems
early or feel better about how your child is doing.
When are routine medical visits needed?
Between
the ages of 2 and 5, a child usually goes to the doctor at age 24 months and 30
months and then once a year at ages 3, 4, and 5 years. These routine checkups
are called well-child visits. These visits are important to check for problems
and to make sure that your child is growing and developing as expected.
During these visits, the doctor will do a physical exam and give your
child any needed
shots. The doctor will weigh and measure your child to
see how your child compares to other children of the same age. The doctor will
also ask questions about your child's behavior and your family. He or she may
also ask your child questions about favorite activities or friends.
Well-child visits are a good time to talk to your doctor about any
concerns you have with your child's health, growth, or behavior. Between
visits, write down any questions you want to ask the doctor next time.
When should you call a doctor?
Call your doctor
anytime you have a concern about your child's physical or emotional health. Be
sure to call if your child:
- Is not reaching developmental milestones as expected.
- Is not growing at a steady pace.
- Has lost skills he or she used to have, such as talking or
running.
- Is violent or abusive.
- Doesn't seem to be doing well, even though you can't pinpoint
what makes you uneasy.
How can you help your child during these years?
It’s important to learn about some of the behaviors you can expect during
these years of rapid change. Temper tantrums, thumb-sucking, and nightmares are
common issues in children this age. Knowing what to expect can help you to be
patient and get through the stressful moments.
The best thing you
can do for your child is to show your love and affection. But there are also
many other ways you can help your preschooler grow and learn:
- Offer your child healthy foods. Keep lots of fruits,
vegetables, and healthy snacks in the house.
- Make time for your child to be active. Limit TV time to 2
hours a day or less.
- Read and talk to your child. This helps children learn
language and opens them up to new ideas.
- Help your child get enough rest. Between the ages of 2 and 5,
children need about 11 to 13 hours of sleep each day.
- Give your child a chance to meet and play with other children.
Preschool or play groups can be a great way for children to learn to interact.
- Teach skills, such as how to get dressed or how to use the
toilet. Watch for signs that your child is ready, and try to move ahead at his
or her pace.
- Set limits that help your child feel safe and secure but that
also allow the child to explore.
Raising a preschooler can be challenging. What works or
is right for a 2-year-old may not be right for a 5-year-old. Taking a parenting
class can help you learn how to deal with issues as they arise. To find a
parenting class, ask your child’s doctor or call a local hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Learning about growth and development:
|
|
|
Developmental milestones:
|
|
|
Seeing a health professional:
|
|
|
Ongoing concerns:
|
|
What to Expect
General development between ages 2 and 5 years
Children between the ages of 2 and 5 change dramatically in five major
areas: emotional and social skills, physical growth, thinking and reasoning
skills (called cognitive development), language development, and sensory and
motor development. Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence
from one developmental milestone to the next. But the exact timing varies from
child to child. Also, many children tend to make progress in one area, such as
learning new words, while another skill, such as counting, levels off.
-
Emotional and social development begins with
excitement about being around other children at age 2. But most children at
this age play near each other rather than with each other (this is called
parallel play). By age 5, most children seek and enjoy friendships. Often they
identify a playmate as their "best friend," although their choice may change
frequently. Two-year-olds start to recognize the differences between boys and
girls. By age 5, children understand many of these differences and often like
to dress or play in ways they identify with their gender.
-
Physical development slows down from
the rapid growth during infancy. From age 2 through age 5, most children
annually gain about
3 lb (1.4 kg) to
5 lb (2.3 kg) and grow about
3 in. (7.6 cm).
-
Cognitive development, or thinking and
reasoning skills, progresses from a simple to more complex understanding of
time, letters, counting, and colors. Children are able to follow increasingly
more detailed commands. Play gradually becomes more inventive and richly
imaginative.
-
Language develops rapidly between ages
2 and 5. By age 2, children usually can say at least 50 words. They can
recognize the names of many objects and some body parts (such as arms and
legs). By age 3, children are learning new words quickly. Most can speak at
least 200 words and can follow two-part directions, such as "Wash your face and
put your shoes away." They also start to use plurals and short complete
sentences that most of the time are understood by others outside of their
family. Four-year-olds use longer sentences and can describe an event. Most
5-year-olds can carry on a conversation.
-
Sensory and motor skills become more
refined, from being able to walk up stairs, kick a ball, and draw simple
strokes to basic tumbling and drawing rough figures of people and other
recognizable objects. Children also gradually learn to dress themselves and
handle their toilet needs independently.
Milestones by age
By 2 years of age,
most children:
- Grow at a steady pace, although it has slowed from the phase of
rapid growth during the first 18 months of life.
- Alternate between feeling excited, confused, and scared about
their emerging independence.
Temper tantrums may start occurring regularly.
- Say at least 50 words and use 2-word sentences.
- Run and can go up and down stairs.
By 3 years of age, most children:
- Look leaner and longer compared to the early toddler years.
Most children have gained about
4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about
3 in. (8 cm) since their second
birthday.
- Play pretend, understand 3-step instructions, enjoy simple
puzzles, and know their name, age, and gender.
- Enjoy playmates, although "sharing" is often still a
challenge.
- Separate from you easily.
- Are interested in or have finished
toilet training.
- Use 4- to 5-word sentences, including some pronouns and
plurals.
- Jump, run, climb, pedal a tricycle, and kick a ball. They will
likely be able to screw and unscrew lids, draw simple strokes, use silverware,
build a tower with at least 6 blocks, and turn pages one at a time.
By 4 years of age, most children:
- Have gained about
4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about
3 in. (8 cm) since turning 3.
- Can say their name, identify some basic colors, and match
things that are the same (such as a pair of socks).
- Can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. But a
4-year-old's active imagination can create all kinds of scary and threatening
scenarios.
- Have mastered most grammar skills. They can speak in sentences
with at least 5 or 6 words, tell stories, and sing songs.
- Stand on one foot, ride a tricycle (or a small bike with
training wheels), throw a ball overhand, and go up and down stairs without
holding onto anything. They can use safety scissors, draw circles and squares,
and write some capital letters.
By 5 years of age, most children:
- Have gained about
4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about
3 in. (8 cm) since turning 4.
- Know their address and phone number, most letters of the
alphabet, how to count up to 10, and basic concepts of time.
- Act independently much of the time and understand rules.
- Like to please others and have friends. But it is normal for
children this age to sometimes act unkindly. Five-year-olds are still learning
about understanding and being sensitive to other people's feelings.
- Carry on conversations and use more advanced grammar, such as
the future tense.
- Hop on one foot, somersault, and possibly skip. Most
5-year-olds can dress and undress themselves; draw a person with a head, body,
arms, and legs; and write some small and capital letters from the
alphabet.
Common Concerns
Common problems parents encounter
with their children during the preschool years relate to sleep, eating, safety,
and difficult emotions and behavior.
Sleeping
Preschool children between the ages of 2
and 5 need about 11 to 13 hours of sleep each day. Your child may go through
phases when he or she resists resting. Sometimes children refuse to go to sleep
as a way to assert their independence. Other times, they may simply need extra
attention or reassurance before they feel safe and comfortable enough to sleep
well.
You can help foster good sleep habits by:
-
Setting bedtime routines. Do things in
the same order each night so that your child understands what to expect and
associates these steps with going to sleep.
-
Handling sleep disturbances in a consistent manner. Sometimes young children wake up and want attention or
reassurance. Keep your response the same each time your child wakes up. Sleep
problems often get worse if the child is rewarded with attention. Many times,
children quickly fall back asleep on their own. If you feel you need to go into
your child's room, make the visit quick and businesslike.
-
Helping prevent nightmares.
Preschool-age children's rich fantasy lives and active imaginations make them
prone to nightmares. These typically occur toward the end of the night or very
early morning. You can help prevent nightmares by controlling what you allow
your child to watch on television. Also, encouraging your child to regularly
talk about daily events helps a child understand his or her environment. This
prevents a child from feeling confused or fearful, which also can lead to
nightmares.
-
Managing night terrors. Night terrors
are different from nightmares because the child remains asleep throughout the
entire episode and does not have any memory of it in the morning. Night terrors
tend to occur about 3 to 5 hours after the child goes to sleep. Nightmares
usually happen at the end of the night. Children cry intensely and often lose
their breath, which often frightens parents. After 10 to 30 minutes, the child
will settle down and return to a deep sleep. Do not try to wake a child during
a night terror. Instead, reassure your child and hold him or her to prevent
injury. Do not be alarmed if your child seems unaware of your presence. Most
children grow out of this sleep behavior. Making sure your child gets enough
sleep can help reduce the frequency of night terrors.
Eating
Finicky eating habits are common and normal
in preschoolers. Many children have smaller appetites than they had in their
younger years because they are growing more slowly. As long as you offer
nourishing foods from the
major food groups and focus on the big picture—how much is eaten throughout
the entire day or over the course of a few days—your child should not have
problems. With a parent's guidance, a child naturally balances out his or her
diet in an average week. For more information, see the topic
Healthy Eating for Children.
Safety
To
help keep a child safe, a parent or caregiver must always be aware of the
child's abilities and the environment, whether it is the home, a playground, or
a public place. These abilities change as the child grows and gains new skills.
For more information on safety issues, see the topic
Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5.
Behavior
Children between ages 2 and 5 have many
intense emotions that they do not fully understand. As a result, expect your
young child to not always listen to you. Be patient and do your best to be
consistent about limits you set to help avoid some common preschool behavior
issues, which include:
-
Temper tantrums. These emotional
outbursts are perhaps the biggest behavior challenge for this age group. Many
1- to 4-year-olds have
temper tantrums at least once a week. A tantrum is a
normal and expected response when something or someone interferes with a young
child's attempt to achieve independence or to master a skill. For example, a
tantrum may occur when the child becomes angry because he or she does not want
to go to bed. For more information, including guidance on how to respond to
tantrums, see the topic
Temper Tantrums.
-
Thumb-sucking. Thumb-sucking in children
younger than 4 years old is not usually a problem. Most children stop sucking
their thumbs on their own sometime between ages 3 and 6 years. They usually do
not need treatment. But children who suck their thumbs frequently or with a lot
of force after the age of 3 or 4 may develop emotional, dental, or speech
problems. For more information, see the topic
Thumb-Sucking.
-
Breath-holding spells. These are periods
of time when young children stop breathing, frequently causing them to pass out
(lose consciousness).
Breath-holding spells typically happen when a young
child is angry, frustrated, in pain, or afraid. The spell is a reflex, not a
deliberate behavior on the child's part. Breath-holding spells are most common
in children ages 1 to 3 years. Some children continue to have spells until they
are age 6. Making sure your child gets plenty of rest and helping your child to
feel secure and less frustrated may help reduce the number of these episodes.
For more information, see the topic
Breath-Holding Spells.
-
Aggression. Some preschool children
become aggressive and may hurt other children physically or emotionally.
Hitting,
biting, pushing, and shouting are all common forms of
aggression. Children's aggressive behavior usually is a normal variation of
their
temperament. Children gradually learn to control their
aggressive feelings as they begin to recognize the feelings of others. Parents
can encourage aggressive children to learn self-control by teaching positive
behavior and how to channel their feelings into words or other nonphysical
expression.
Do not spank or hit your child—it usually is ineffective and only instills
fear. First, help your child calm down. Later, you can talk about better ways
to handle his or her feelings. Do not expect changes in behavior right away.
Time, repetition, and reinforcement are usually needed for the child to learn.
For more information on topics related to aggression, see the topics
Biting or
Bullying.
Toilet training
A child must be both physically
and emotionally ready to use the toilet. Otherwise, efforts are usually
unsuccessful and frustrating for both the parent and the child. Although there
is great variation between individual children, most are ready for
toilet training when they are between 22 and 30 months
of age.
You may be confused about
when to start toilet training. This is not surprising, considering most
people are bombarded with advice and expectations from relatives, friends, and
day care providers. You may also have personal reasons for wanting your child
toilet trained, such as being pregnant and wanting to avoid having two children
in diapers at the same time. But your child's physical and emotional readiness
for toilet training is the most important aspect of the timing. Although you
can begin toilet training your child at an earlier-than-average age, it usually
takes longer. Also, both you and your child will likely become frustrated if
you attempt toilet training before he or she is physically and emotionally
ready.
For more information, see the topic
Toilet Training.
Promoting Healthy Growth and Development
As a
parent, you can enhance your preschool child's development in countless ways,
the most important of which is showing love and affection. You guide your
children through the challenges of this important time of life by talking and
reading to them, providing opportunities for play, playing pretend with them,
showing them how to get dressed or use the toilet, and setting boundaries and
limits to their behavior. These actions will also help get your child ready to
learn and work with others in school.
You can also try specific
techniques to help your child advance in all areas of growth and
development.
Promote physical development by:
- Offering plenty of opportunities for
exercise. Going to the playground, joining a
gymnastics or dance class, or simply running races in your backyard allows your
child to release excess energy and encourages new physical skills. For more information, see the topic Physical Activity for Children and Teens.
-
Helping your preschooler develop healthy eating habits. Although you control what, when, and where your child eats,
realize that he or she chooses whether to eat and how much. As long as you
offer nourishing foods from the
major food groups and focus on the big picture—how much is eaten throughout
the entire day or over the course of a few days—your child should not have
problems. Use the family meal as an opportunity to promote healthy eating
habits, both by your example of good eating behavior and how you respond to
your child's shifting food preferences.
Promote cognitive development by:
-
Encouraging safe exploration. Exploration helps your
child discover cause-and-effect relationships. Children who explore learn to
master new skills and solve problems. Offer a variety of things to play with,
read, create, and build. Resist limiting exploration because of safety fears.
Take basic measures to minimize risks. For more information about preventing
accidents and injuries, see the topic
Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years.
-
Encouraging a sense of security. Your child is more
likely to feel safe and secure if you are dependable, consistent, respectful,
and responsive. These qualities are especially important for parents of
preschool children, because these children are gaining a basic sense of trust
in themselves and in the significant people in their lives. This sense of trust
lays the foundation for learning, social skills, adaptability, and emotional
development. Secure children also keep and strengthen their attachment to their
parents.
Promote emotional and social development by:
-
Providing peer contact. Playing with other children
even 1 day a week gives children opportunities to practice and develop
important social, emotional, and language skills. Children learn to share,
cooperate, and negotiate as they interact with their peers.
-
Promoting self-control. Children need guidance, clear
limits, and patient parents during this time of behavioral and emotional
struggles. Help your child by modeling and teaching proper behavior. Also,
encourage your child to think about the feelings of other people to develop
empathy. Preschoolers crave acceptance and attention. Completely ignoring a
misbehaving child is effective in curbing minor but annoying behavior problems,
such as whining or complaining.
Time-outs can also help, when they are used properly
and sparingly.
-
Helping your child build self-esteem. The foundation
of self-esteem is established in childhood. Parents have the greatest influence
on a child's belief about himself or herself. Letting your child know that he
or she belongs, is doing well, and is contributing can help him or her develop
healthy self-esteem.
Promote language development by:
-
Reading to your child at every age. Reading exposes
your child to the sounds and rhythm of language. It also helps stimulate the
imagination and introduces children to things and places they may not have a
chance to learn about otherwise, such as oceans or dinosaurs.
-
Providing opportunities to talk with others. Children
develop language skills by being around other people. Listening and
communicating with other children and adults helps a child to understand and
use language.
Promote sensory and motor development by:
-
Providing a wide variety of experiences and play environments. Schedule time each day for either indoor or outdoor
physical activity, such as dancing inside or going to a playground. These types
of activities improve coordination and other large muscle skills. Fine motor
skills develop through art projects (such as painting or using scissors),
playing musical instruments, pouring, and using tongs or fingers to move
objects. Stimulate your child's senses by introducing new sights, smells,
sounds, textures, and tastes as often as you can.
Your relationship with your child will constantly change
as your child gains new skills and
develops independence. You can help your child through
each stage of development by evaluating your relationship from time to time. In
many ways, you have to "get to know" your child over and over again. Ask
yourself:
- What do I like most about my child?
- What could be triggering bad behavior? Are any of these new
triggers?
- What new skills has my child developed within the past 3 months?
2 months? 1 month?
- What tasks can I encourage my child to do for himself or herself?
How can I encourage him or her?
- When am I happy about how I treat my child?
- What don't I like about some of our interactions? When do these
episodes tend to occur?
As a parent or caregiver of children, it is also important
for you to:
- Learn and use effective
parenting and discipline techniques and avoid the use
of corporal punishment. Parenting classes are offered in
most communities. Ask your doctor or call a local hospital for more
information.
- Learn healthy techniques to resolve conflicts and manage
stress. For more information, see the topic
Stress Management.
- Ask for help when you need it. Call a family member or friend to
give you a break if you feel overwhelmed. Find community resources that are
available to help you with child care or other necessary services. Call a
doctor or local hospital for a place to start. Some communities have respite
care facilities for children, which provide temporary child care during times
when you need a break.
- Get help from
school programs if your child has special
needs.
- Seek help if you think you have a problem with alcohol,
drugs, anger,
depression, stress, or other issues that affect your
mental health.
For more information see:
-
Interactive Tool: What is Your Stress Level?
-
Interactive Tool: Are You Depressed?
-
Do you have a problem with substance abuse?
(What is a PDF document?)
When to Call a Doctor
Although your child grows at
an individual pace, be aware of signs of a
developmental delay. The earlier you identify a delay,
the better chance you have of getting appropriate treatment for your child that
can prevent or minimize long-term problems.
In general, talk to a
doctor anytime your child:
- Does not seem to be reaching developmental milestones as
expected.
- Is not growing at a steady pace. Each year between ages 2 and 5
years, expect your child to gain about
3 lb (1.4 kg) to
5 lb (2.3 kg) and grow about
3 in. (7.6 cm). Although your
child's height and weight are measured at routine
well-child exams, call your doctor if your child's
growth pattern concerns you in between these visits.
- Is not able to do some of the things he or she used to do, such
as talking or running.
- Makes you so angry or frustrated with your child that you are
worried about what you might do next.
- Acts overly aggressive, violent, or verbally abusive.
- Does not seem to be doing well, even though you can't pinpoint
what makes you uneasy. Friends and other caregivers may also be
concerned.
Call your doctor if
by age 2 your child:1
- Walks on his or her toes frequently and does not use a normal
heel-toe pattern most of the time.
- Does not speak or use 2-word sentences.
- Does not imitate actions of others.
- Is not able to follow simple instructions.
Call your doctor if
by age 3 your child:2
- Falls frequently while trying to walk or is not able to go up and
down stairs.
- Drools frequently, does not speak clearly, and can't talk in 2-
or 3-word sentences.
- Does not make regular eye contact.
- Can't build a tower of more than 4 blocks, move small objects, or
copy a circle.
- Does not play "pretend" or like to play with toys and other
children.
- Has problems separating from you.
Call your doctor if
by age 4 your child:2
- Does not know how to throw a ball overhand, jump in place, or
ride a tricycle.
- Can't hold a crayon between the thumb and fingers.
- Responds only to family members and does not enjoy being around
other children.
- Does not use sentences with more than 3 words or use pronouns
correctly.
- Shows no interest in playing "pretend."
- Has frequent
temper tantrums.
- Is not toilet trained.
- Regularly resists getting dressed in the morning or going to
sleep at night.
Call your doctor if
by age 5 your child:2
- Goes from one activity to another without being able to focus on
one thing for at least 5 minutes.
- Does not like to play "pretend" or try new activities.
- Regularly resists using the toilet, sleeping, or eating.
- Speaks unclearly or can't use plurals or other basic parts of
speech.
- Has trouble with colors, shapes, or counting, or can't say his or
her name.
- Has trouble building a tower out of blocks, holding a
crayon, getting dressed, brushing teeth, or washing hands. These are all tasks
related to motor skill development.
- Often behaves in ways that seem unusual. For example, he or she
may seem:
- Afraid, unable to separate from you easily, overly quiet, or
unhappy.
- To have little or no emotion.
- Not to enjoy playing with other children or people other than
close family members.
Routine Checkups
Between the ages of 2 and 5, a
child usually see the doctor at age 24 months and 30 months and then once a
year at ages 3, 4, and 5 years. These routine checkups are called
well-child visits. These appointments allow your
child's doctor to keep a close eye on your child's general health and
development. Finding out possible problems early gives your child the best
chance for proper and successful treatment. Also, any concerns you have about
your child can be discussed during these visits.
Physical exam
To evaluate a child's general health
and whether physical developmental milestones are being met, a doctor generally
will:
- Measure your child's weight and height. These measurements are
plotted on a
growth chart to see how your child compares physically
to other children of the same age. This chart is updated each year during the
routine exam to document the child's growth pattern. You can check your child's
body mass index (BMI) at home to estimate whether your
child is at a healthy weight for his or her height, age, and gender. To find
out your child's BMI, use this
Interactive Tool: Is Your Child at a Healthy Weight?
- Check your child's blood pressure.
- Examine your child for any visible problems.
- Review your
child's immunization record(What is a PDF document?)
. Needed
immunizations are given or scheduled. For more
information, see the topic
Immunizations.
- Ask you about your child's eating and sleeping habits.
Mental and emotional health evaluation
The doctor
will talk with both you and your child to get a sense of his or her mental,
emotional, and social development. Questions generally cover:
- Whether any noticeable behavioral changes have occurred.
- Your child's and family's general well-being. The doctor also
observes how you and your child interact.
- How your child reacts to strangers.
- How your child plays and interacts with peers.
- Whether you have any concerns about issues such as
toilet training, preschool, or troubling
behaviors.
- Your child's language, hearing, and social skills. The doctor
directly asks your child questions to briefly assess these and related
developmental issues. For example, the doctor may ask your child about his or
her favorite activities and the names of his or her friends.
In addition to the above assessments, doctors usually ask
questions specific to a child's age.
Routine screening tests for
hearing and vision take place during the preschool years.
Hearing tests are usually done at ages 4 and 5 years.
Vision tests usually occur at ages 3, 4, and 5. A
specialist may do formal tests if your child’s screening results are poor or if
there are any developmental concerns at ages 2 to 5.
Routine checkups are a good time for you to ask about
development and discuss your concerns about your child's health, growth,
development, or behavior. It may help you to go to your child's checkup with a
prepared
list of questions(What is a PDF document?)
.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
|
American Academy of Pediatrics
|
| 141 Northwest Point Boulevard |
| Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098 |
| Phone: |
(847) 434-4000 |
| Fax: |
(847) 434-8000 |
| Web Address: |
www.aap.org |
| |
|
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a
variety of educational materials about parenting,
general growth and development, immunizations, safety, disease prevention, and more. AAP guidelines for various conditions and links to other
organizations are also available.
|
|
|
Bright Futures
|
| P.O. Box 571272 |
| Washington, DC 20057-1272 |
| Phone: |
(202) 784-9770 |
| Fax: |
(202) 784-9777 |
| Web Address: |
www.brightfutures.org |
| |
|
The Bright Futures Web site offers current information
about health promotion and health care needs of infants, children, teens,
families, and communities. Bright Futures is sponsored by the National Center
for Education in Maternal and Child Health at Georgetown University.
|
|
|
KidsHealth for Parents, Children, and
Teens
|
| 10140 Centurion Parkway North |
| Jacksonville, FL 32256 |
| Phone: |
(904) 697-4100 |
| Fax: |
(904) 697-4125 |
| Web Address: |
www.kidshealth.org |
| |
|
This Web site is sponsored by the Nemours Foundation. It
has a wide range of information about children's health, from allergies and
diseases to normal growth and development (birth to adolescence). This Web site
offers separate areas for kids, teens, and parents, each providing
age-appropriate information that the child or parent can understand. You can
sign up to get weekly e-mails about your area of interest.
|
|
|
National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development
|
| P.O. Box 3006 |
| Rockville, MD 20847 |
| Phone: |
1-800-370-2943 |
| Fax: |
1-866-760-5947 toll-free |
| TDD: |
1-888-320-6942 |
| E-mail: |
NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov |
| Web Address: |
www.nichd.nih.gov |
| |
|
The National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The
NICHD conducts and supports research related to the health of children, adults,
and families. NICHD has information on its Web site about many health topics.
And you can send specific requests to information specialists.
|
|
|
U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission
|
| 4330 East West Highway |
| Bethesda, MD 20814 |
| Phone: |
1-800-638-2772 consumer hotline
(301) 504-7923 |
| Fax: |
(301) 504-0124 and (301) 504-0025 |
| TDD: |
(301) 595-7054 |
| Web Address: |
www.cpsc.gov |
| |
|
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an
independent federal regulatory agency. The goal of this agency is to save lives
and keep families safe by reducing the risk of injuries and deaths associated
with consumer products. CPSC develops safety standards, recalls products or
organizes how they will be repaired, researches possible product hazards, and
informs the general public about these and other safety issues. You can call
their toll-free number or e-mail them to report unsafe products.
|
|
References
Citations
-
American Academy of Pediatrics (2004). Age two to
three years. In SP Shelov, RE Hannemann, eds., Caring For Your Baby And Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 4th ed., chap. 11, pp. 301–338.
New York: Bantam.
-
American Academy of Pediatrics (2004). Age three to
five years. In SP Shelov, RE Hannemann, eds., Caring For Your Baby And Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 4th ed., chap 12, pp. 339–388. New
York: Bantam.
Other Works Consulted
- Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and
Family Health, American Academy of Pediatrics (1998, reaffirmed 2004). Guidance
for effective discipline. Pediatrics, 101(4):
723–728.
- Dixon SD, Stein MT (2006). Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, 4th ed. Philadelphia:
Mosby Elsevier.
- Feigelman S (2007). The preschool years. In RM
Kliegman et al., eds., Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics,
18th ed., pp. 54–57. Philadelphia: Saunders.
- Ginsburg KR, et al. (2007). The importance of play in
promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds.
Pediatrics, 119(1): 182–191.
- Goldson E, Reynolds A (2009). Child development and
behavior. In WW Hay et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics, 19th ed., pp. 63–100. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Hagan JF, et al., eds. (2008). Early childhood: 2½
year visit. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd ed., pp. 429–438.
Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Hagan JF, et al., eds. (2008). Early childhood: 2-year
visit. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd ed., pp. 419–428. Elk Grove
Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Hagan JF, et al., eds. (2008). Early childhood: 3-year
visit. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd ed., pp. 439–448. Elk Grove
Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Hagan JF, et al., eds. (2008). Early childhood: 4-year
visit. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd ed., pp. 449–461. Elk Grove
Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Hagan JF, et al., eds. (2008). Early childhood: 5- and
6-year visits. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd ed., pp. 465–481.
Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
- High PC, et al. (2008). School readiness.
Pediatrics, 121(4): e1008–e1015.
- Strasburger VC (2005). Television. In S Parker et al.,
eds., Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics: A Handbook for Primary Care, 2nd ed., pp. 425–427. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams
and Wilkins.
Credits
|
Author
|
Debby Golonka, MPH |
|
Editor
|
Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
|
Associate Editor
|
Pat Truman, MATC |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics |
|
Last Updated
|
December 9, 2009 |