TOPIC:
1.1 Observation Exercise
a. Physical Environment of a Preschool Child
b. Physical Growth and Motor Functioning
What is Physical Environment?
Sets the stage and creates the context for everything that happens in
any setting—a classroom, a play yard, a multipurpose room. It has
high-quality environment welcomes children and engages children in a
variety of activities which provides space for individual, small and large
group activities.
Ultimately, the physical environment must convey values and
messages
about whom is welcomed, what is important, and what the beliefs are
about how children learn.
NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
According to the NAEYC, the program has a safe and healthful
environment that provides appropriate and well-maintained indoor and
outdoor physical environments. The environment includes facilities,
equipment, and materials to facilitate child and staff learning and
development.
Factors or Areas to be considered in Physical Environment of Preschool
Child
• Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings
A variety of age and developmentally appropriate materials and
equipment are available indoors and outdoors for children throughout
the day. This environment includes dramatic play equipment; sensory
materials such as sand, water, play dough, paint, and blocks
• Outdoor Environmental Design
Outdoor play areas, designed with equipment that is age and
developmentally appropriate and that is located in clearly defined
spaces with semiprivate areas where children can play alone or with a
friend, accommodate motor experiences.
• Building and Physical Design
The work environment for staff, including classrooms and staff rooms,
is comfortable and clean and is in good repair.
• Environmental Health
measures in all rooms occupied by children to control noise levels so
normal conversation can be heard without raising one's voice. All
rooms that children use are heated, cooled, and ventilated to maintain
room temperature and humidity level.
Physical Growth and Motor Functioning
During the preschool years, there is a steady increase in children’s
height, weight, and muscle tone. Compared with toddlers, preschoolers are
longer and leaner. Their legs and trunks continue to grow, and their heads are
not so large in proportion to their bodies.
On average, young children can expect to grow 2 to 3 inches in height per
year. Children's healthy growth is supported by healthy lifestyles. Motor
Functioning or development means the physical growth and strengthening of
a child’s bones, muscles and ability to move and touch his/her surroundings.
Fine motor skills
These are small movements in the hands, wrists, fingers, feet, toes,
lips and tongue.
By ages 2 to 3 years, children can create things with their hands.
Around ages 3 to 4 years, children start to manipulate clothing
fasteners, like zippers and snaps, and continue to gain independence
in dressing and undressing themselves.
During ages 4 to 5 years, children continue to refine fine motor skills
and build upon earlier skills.
5-7 year-olds begin to show the skills necessary for starting or
succeeding in school.
Gross motor skills
A motor development of muscles that enable babies to hold up their
heads, sit and crawl, and eventually walk, run, jump and skip.
Between ages 2 and 3 years, young children stop "toddling," or using
the awkward, wide-legged robot-like stance that is the hallmark of new
walkers.
3 to 4 year olds can jump and hop higher as their leg muscles grow
stronger.
By ages 4 to 5, children can go up and down the stairs alone in the
adult fashion (i.e., taking one step at a time).
During ages 5 to 6, young children continue to refine earlier skills.
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