Child Development

Physical development during the preschool years has the most obvious aspects of changes. Children generally become slimmer as the lower body lengthens and some of the fat accumulated during infancy is burned off. The Kindergarten children no longer have the protruding stomach, round face, disproportionately short limbs, and relatively large head that are characteristic of a toddler. By age 6, the proportions of a child's body are not very different from those of an adult. As …

…features are evident whether the play is rough and tumble or sociodramatic play- the latter also permits children to explore social roles, examine personal concerns, and learn to cooperate. Self-concept emerges, usually wit a positive slant. Children boldly initiate new activities, especially if they are praised for their endeavors. As they are social and cognitive, skills develop, children engage in ever more complex and imaginative types of play, sometimes by themselves and, increasingly, with others.