Introduction
This paper will compare and contrast the growth and developmental patterns of two toddlers at the beginning and end of this age period. It will describe and apply the components of Gordon’s functional health patterns to explain the differences in toddlers’ development.
Health Perception and Management
The health perception and management pattern concerns how people view their health and the steps they take to maintain or improve it. Toddlers’ caregivers influence this tendency. Although a one-year-old child may have little knowledge of health, they rely on their parents for their primary care (Morgan et al., 2021). A three-year-old child, on the other hand, may begin to display signs of independence, expressing preferences for specific activities, and engaging in simple self-care routines.
Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern
The nutritional-metabolic pattern examines the amount of food and liquids a child consumes, as well as their metabolic rate. Toddlers between the ages of one and three have different dietary needs. The one-year-old child is highly reliant on breast milk or formula and is progressively introduced to solid meals (Morgan et al., 2021). Their caretakers are essential in ensuring a balanced diet during this period, as the children are discovering new flavors and textures. The toddler’s diet, on the other hand, gets more varied by age three and includes a broader range of fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Elimination Pattern
The toddler’s bowel and bladder movements are the primary focus of the elimination pattern. Most children can regulate their bowel movements and urination by the time they turn one. Although they may still require diapers, they may be exhibiting signs that they are ready for toilet training (Morgan et al., 2021). By the time they are three years old, most toddlers have developed daytime bladder and bowel control and may only need diapers at night.
Activity-Exercise Pattern
The activity-exercise pattern evaluates a toddler’s degree of physical activity and capacity for age-appropriate play. During the first phases of motor development, a one-year-old child learns to roll over, crawl, and pull themselves up to stand. They require a secure setting to experiment in and refine their large-motor skills (Morgan et al., 2021). A toddler with advanced motor abilities, such as running, leaping, and climbing, is typically three years old. They can perform more challenging physical tasks, such as riding a tricycle or kicking a ball, because they have greater endurance.
Sleep-Rest Pattern
The sleep-rest pattern encompasses a toddler’s sleep patterns and sleep quality. To support their rapid growth and brain development, one-year-old toddlers often sleep for extended periods, including daytime naps (Morgan et al., 2021). As infants approach their third birthday, their sleep habits typically stabilize, with fewer daytime naps and more consistent nighttime sleep.
Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern
The cognitive-perceptual pattern investigates the intellectual, sensory, and problem-solving development of a toddler. A one-year-old child starts to exhibit object permanence, showing interest by investigating and manipulating items (Morgan et al., 2021). By age three, toddlers have a more sophisticated vocabulary and engage in imaginative play, demonstrating improved social and cognitive abilities.
Self-Perception-Self-Concept Pattern
The self-perception-self-concept pattern is concerned with the developing sense of self in toddlers. Toddlers are particularly reliant on their caregivers’ emotional support and reassurance at around age 1, when they begin to recognize themselves in mirrors (Morgan et al., 2021). By age three, kids begin to establish their independence and sense of self, becoming more aware of their preferences, skills, and limits.
Roles-Relationships Pattern
A toddler’s interactions with family, friends, and other significant individuals in their environment are examined through the roles-relationships pattern. Toddlers mostly rely on their caregivers for nurturing and social interactions by the time they are one year old (Morgan et al., 2021). By age three, kids start playing in parallel with their peers and may even develop rudimentary friendships. They also show signs of developing knowledge of the family’s functions and connections.
Conclusion
One gets essential insights into the growth and development of two toddlers of different ages by applying Gordon’s functional health patterns to them. The comparison highlights the distinctive traits and milestones observed within each age group. To provide toddlers with age-appropriate care, support, and stimulation as they progress through their developmental journey, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and educators must understand these patterns.
Reference
Morgan, C., Fetters, L., Adde, L., Badawi, N., Bancale, A., Boyd, R. N., Chorna, O., Cioni, G., Damiano, D. L., Darrah, J., De Vries, L. S., Dusing, S., Einspieler, C., Eliasson, A., Ferriero, D., Fehlings, D., Forssberg, H., Gordon, A. M., Greaves, S., … Novak, I. (2021). Early intervention for children aged 0 to 2 years with or at high risk of cerebral palsy. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(8), 846.