NCLEX-PN® ExaminationHealth Promotion and MaintenanceMedium
A practical nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. The nurse observes the child can hop on one foot, draw a person with at least three body parts, and use scissors to cut along a line. Based on these observations, which developmental stage is the child demonstrating?
- AToddlerhood (1-3 years)
- BInfancy (0-1 year)
- CPreschool Age (3-5 years)
- DSchool Age (6-12 years)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Preschool Age (3-5 years)
The ability to hop on one foot, draw a person with multiple body parts, and use scissors to cut along a line are all typical gross and fine motor milestones for a preschool-aged child (3-5 years).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Toddlers develop walking, running, stacking blocks, and scribbling, but generally not the more complex motor skills described.
- B. Infants typically develop skills like rolling over, sitting, crawling, and taking first steps, which are much earlier than the observed skills.
- D. School-aged children refine skills like riding a bike without training wheels, tying shoes, and more complex drawing and writing, but the observed skills are typically mastered earlier.
Preschool Developmental Milestones
Key physical, cognitive, social, and emotional achievements typically observed in children aged 3 to 5 years.
- Gross motor: hops, balances on one foot, climbs well.
- Fine motor: draws shapes, uses scissors, dresses self.
- Cognitive: asks 'why' questions, counts, knows colors.
Memory trick: Infant Inquires, Toddler Tries, Preschooler Performs, School-age Succeeds.