Compare and contrast the growth and developmental patterns of two toddlers of different ages using Gordon’s functional health patterns. Describe and apply the components of Gordon’s functional health patterns as it applies to toddlers. Word limit 500 words. Support your answers with the literature and provide citations and references in APA format. References will be less than 5 years. Purchase the answer to view it
Toddlers, typically aged between one and three years old, experience rapid growth and development during this period. Understanding the growth and developmental patterns of toddlers of different ages can provide valuable insights into their health and well-being. In order to compare and contrast these patterns, Gordon’s functional health patterns can be utilized as a comprehensive framework. This approach consists of eleven components that encompass various aspects of a child’s health and development. These components include health perception and management, nutritional metabolic assessment, elimination patterns, activity and exercise, sleep and rest, cognitive and perceptual patterns, self-perception and self-concept, roles and relationships, sexuality and reproductive patterns, coping and stress tolerance, and values and beliefs (Gordon, 1987). This essay will discuss how Gordon’s functional health patterns can be applied to toddlers of different ages to compare and contrast their growth and developmental patterns.
The first component, health perception and management, refers to a child’s and family’s perception of health, their healthcare practices, and their ability to manage health conditions (Gordon, 1987). Infants aged one to two years often develop a vague understanding of health and may not fully comprehend illness (Potock & Perry, 2010). They rely on their caregivers to identify signs of illness and provide appropriate care. On the other hand, three-year-old toddlers begin to recognize and verbalize symptoms of illness and may even express a desire to visit the doctor when they are unwell (Potock & Perry, 2010). By comparing and contrasting these patterns, one can observe how toddlers’ health perception and management evolve as they grow older.
The nutritional metabolic pattern considers a child’s eating habits, nutrient intake, and metabolic function (Gordon, 1987). Toddlers aged one to two years tend to exhibit a strong preference for familiar foods and often experience difficulties with new tastes and textures (Potock & Perry, 2010). They may also display picky eating behaviors, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies (Zimmerli et al., 2015). Conversely, three-year-old toddlers may gradually become more accepting of different foods and develop more varied eating habits (Potock & Perry, 2010). By comparing and contrasting these patterns, one can highlight the changes in dietary preferences and nutritional intake as toddlers grow older.
Elimination patterns encompass a child’s bladder and bowel habits, including toilet training (Gordon, 1987). One- to two-year-old toddlers typically begin to show an interest in the toilet and may exhibit signs of readiness for toilet training, such as staying dry for longer periods and showing awareness of bowel movements (Potock & Perry, 2010). However, they may still have accidents and struggle with consistency in their toilet habits. By contrast, three-year-old toddlers usually demonstrate improved bladder and bowel control and may have achieved a greater level of independence in toilet use (Potock & Perry, 2010). By comparing and contrasting these patterns, one can observe the progression of toilet training skills in toddlers of different ages.
The activity and exercise pattern considers a child’s physical activity level, play behaviors, and motor development (Gordon, 1987). Between the ages of one and two, toddlers are typically active and constantly on the move, exploring their environment and improving their coordination and motor skills (Potock & Perry, 2010). However, their activities may still be limited by their physical abilities. By the age of three, toddlers have generally developed greater physical capabilities and engage in more varied play activities, such as running, jumping, and climbing (Potock & Perry, 2010). By comparing and contrasting these patterns, one can observe the progression of physical activity and motor skills development in toddlers.
Sleep and rest patterns encompass a child’s sleep behaviors, routines, and how they obtain rest (Gordon, 1987). Between the ages of one and two, toddlers generally require about 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day, which includes naps (Potock & Perry, 2010). However, establishing a consistent sleep routine can be challenging for some toddlers at this age. By the age of three, most toddlers are ready to transition to a regular nap schedule and may need around 11 to 12 hours of sleep per day (Potock & Perry, 2010). By comparing and contrasting these patterns, one can observe the changes in sleep requirements and routines as toddlers grow older.
Cognitive and perceptual patterns refer to a child’s intellectual abilities, sensory processing, and language development (Gordon, 1987). Between the ages of one and two, toddlers undergo significant cognitive and language development, such as understanding cause and effect relationships, learning new words, and starting to form sentences (Potock & Perry, 2010). They also continue to explore their senses and refine their sensory processing skills. By the age of three, toddlers have typically developed a more extensive vocabulary and enhanced cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and reasoning (Potock & Perry, 2010). By comparing and contrasting these patterns, one can observe the progression of cognitive and language skills in toddlers.
In conclusion, comparing and contrasting the growth and developmental patterns of toddlers of different ages using Gordon’s functional health patterns can provide valuable insights into their health and well-being. By applying the components of Gordon’s functional health patterns, such as health perception and management, nutritional metabolic assessment, elimination patterns, activity and exercise, sleep and rest, cognitive and perceptual patterns, one can analyze and compare various aspects of toddlers’ growth and development. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the similarities and differences in the growth and developmental patterns of toddlers of different ages.