Indicators of physical development of 3-6-year-old children

Abstract

Relevance of the research topic. The foundation of harmonious development of personality is laid in preschool age. However, the results of many studies have shown that in preschool children there is a tendency to deteriorate their physical development and, consequently, health. This fact is explained by the increase of computerization, aggravation of social problems, decrease in the level of motor activity, unsatisfactory sanitary and hygienic conditions, non-observance of the daily routine, etc. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the indicators of physical development of 3- 6-year-old children. In the course of the study we used such research methods as: analysis of scientific and methodological literature on the topic of the research, anthropometry and methods of mathematical statistics. Results. Analysis of the mean group values of height and body weight of 3-6-year-old girls and boys revealed that they are slightly higher in boys than in girls. The most intensive increase in the above indicators was registered in the period from 4-5 to 5-6- years-old in both sexes. The comprehensive size of the chest of 3-4 and 4-5-year-old girls is smaller than boys of this age. The comprehensive size of the chest in 5-6-year-old girls and boys is almost no different. We measured head circumference in children of junior, middle and senior preschool age. We found that the girls’ average values at all ages are lower than in boys. It should be noted that the most intense increase in the average values of comprehensive size of the chest is observed in the period from 4-5 to 5-6 years, while a more intense increase in head circumference was recorded in the period from 3-4 to 4-5 years. Conclusions. Thus, the mean values of all anthropometric indicators that we used in our study are higher in boys than in girls.