Question

Sally is a 3-year-old girl presenting to the PCP’s office. Sally’s mother states she is having “temper tantrums.”

Subjective Data

Mother states Sally eats well

Sleeps 11-12 hours/day

Speaks in four- to five-word sentences

Objective Data

Birth weight: 3 kg

Today’s weight: 13 kg

Height: 90 cm

Speaks in three- to four-word sentences with a 300-word vocabulary

Questions:

1. Is Sally’s vocabulary appropriate for her age?
2. Are Sally’s height and weight appropriate for her age?
3. What information can Sally’s nurse give about her temper tantrums?
4. What is the goal of discipline for a toddler?

Answer 1

1. Sally's vocabulary has 300 words which are above the average vocabulary of a 3-year-old child. Children at the age of 3 have an average of 200 words in their vocabulary.

2. Sally's height and weight is slightly below the average as she weighs 13 kilograms with a height of 90 cm. The average hight of female children is 94 cm and weighs around 14 kgs.

3. Temper tantrums are normal between the age of 1 to 3 years of age. It is a normal thing that occurs during the development of the child. As the children develop emotional and social skills at this age, they sometimes get frustrated and express their emotions with such behavior. Further, they cannot speak their emotions at this age due to their limited vocabulary and sentence making.

4. The goal of discipline for a toddler is that it should not be acting up to seek attention and self-discipline. Bestowing rewards for their positive behavior may help the good behavior of the child. The child's temper tantrums can be solved by listening to child care and keeping calm.