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. Post your discussion to the Moodle Discussion Forum.  Word limit 500 words.  Support your answers with the literature and provide citations and references in APA format.  Reply to at least two other student posts with a reflection of their response.

Gordon’s functional health patterns is a framework commonly used in nursing to assess patients’ health and well-being. It consists of 11 patterns that provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s health. These patterns include health perception-health management, nutritional-metabolic, elimination, activity-exercise, sleep-rest, cognitive-perceptual, self-perception-self-concept, role-relationship, sexuality-reproductive, coping-stress tolerance, and values-beliefs.

In this assignment, we will compare and contrast the growth and developmental patterns of two toddlers of different ages using Gordon’s functional health patterns. Let’s consider two toddlers, one at 12 months old and the other at 24 months old.

Starting with the health perception-health management pattern, at 12 months old, the toddler is beginning to develop a sense of self and is becoming aware of their body. They may start showing preferences for certain foods and display behaviors related to health, such as copying their parents’ actions, like eating with utensils. However, they are still highly dependent on their caregivers for their health management. On the other hand, at 24 months old, the toddler has a better understanding of their body and is more actively involved in their health management. They can express their likes and dislikes for certain foods and may even start demonstrating preferences for specific food groups. They can also follow simple health instructions, such as washing hands before meals.

Moving on to the nutritional-metabolic pattern, both toddlers at 12 and 24 months old have a high nutrient requirement due to their rapid growth and development. At 12 months old, the toddler is typically transitioning from breast milk or formula to solid foods. They may still require occasional breastfeeding or formula feeding to meet their nutritional needs. At this stage, they may be introduced to a variety of foods to ensure a balanced diet. At 24 months old, the toddler should be consuming a wide range of food groups and should have transitioned to whole cow’s milk. They may still be picky eaters but are generally able to eat most types of food, as long as they are small and easily chewable.

In terms of the elimination pattern, both toddlers should be able to control their bowel and bladder movements to a certain extent. At 12 months old, the toddler may have started to show signs of readiness for potty training, such as being aware of when they have soiled their diapers or indicating their need to use the toilet. However, they are unlikely to have achieved complete control at this age. At 24 months old, most toddlers have developed bladder and bowel control and are ready to begin formal potty training. They may still have occasional accidents but are generally able to use the toilet with assistance.

Moving on to the activity-exercise pattern, both toddlers are becoming more active and exploring their environment. At 12 months old, the toddler may start crawling, pulling themselves up to stand, and taking their first steps. They are driven by their curiosity and are constantly on the move. At 24 months old, the toddler is more mobile and may have developed the ability to run, jump, climb, and kick a ball. They are gaining more control over their movements and are able to engage in more complex physical activities.

In the sleep-rest pattern, both toddlers require adequate sleep for their growth and development. At 12 months old, the toddler may be transitioning from multiple naps during the day to two naps or even one long nap. They typically sleep for a total of 12-14 hours in a 24-hour period. At 24 months old, the toddler may have further transitioned to a single nap during the day and may be sleeping for 10-12 hours at night.

In the cognitive-perceptual pattern, both toddlers are rapidly developing their cognitive and sensory abilities. At 12 months old, the toddler is exploring objects and their properties, such as shape, color, and texture. They are also developing their fine motor skills, such as picking up small objects with their fingers. At 24 months old, the toddler’s cognitive abilities have significantly advanced. They are able to understand simple instructions, recognize familiar objects and people, and engage in pretend play.

In the self-perception-self-concept pattern, both toddlers are developing their sense of self. At 12 months old, the toddler may have developed a sense of trust in their caregivers and may experience separation anxiety when separated from them. They are also becoming aware of their own actions and may react to their reflection in the mirror. At 24 months old, the toddler’s sense of self is further developed. They may demonstrate autonomy and independence, asserting their preferences and asserting their will.

In the role-relationship pattern, both toddlers are establishing relationships with their caregivers and other family members. At 12 months old, the toddler may be attached to one or two primary caregivers and may show anxiety or fear around strangers. They may also start imitating others’ behaviors, such as pretending to talk on the phone or feeding a doll. At 24 months old, the toddler’s social interactions have expanded, and they may interact with other children and adults more confidently. They may engage in simple cooperative play and may start forming friendships.

In the sexuality-reproductive pattern, there are no significant developments to note for toddlers at 12 or 24 months old. They are still in the early stages of their development and do not exhibit any sexual behavior.

In the coping-stress tolerance pattern, both toddlers are developing their coping mechanisms to deal with stress or frustration. At 12 months old, the toddler may exhibit behaviors such as crying, seeking comfort from caregivers, or using a favorite toy as a source of comfort. At 24 months old, the toddler may have developed additional coping strategies, such as using words to express themselves or engaging in self-soothing behaviors, like hugging a stuffed animal.

In the values-beliefs pattern, toddlers at 12 and 24 months old are still in the early stages of developing their values and beliefs. They are highly influenced by their caregivers and the environment around them but do not possess a clear understanding of societal norms or moral values.

To summarize, the growth and developmental patterns of two toddlers of different ages can be compared and contrasted using Gordon’s functional health patterns. Understanding these patterns provides a comprehensive assessment of a toddler’s health and well-being, allowing caregivers and healthcare professionals to identify areas of development that may require attention or support.