Assignment Question

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. Please make sure to provide citations and references (in APA, 7th ed. format) for your work.

Assignment Answer

Introduction

Gordon’s functional health patterns provide a comprehensive framework for assessing an individual’s health (Perry et al., 2018).

Health Perception-Health Management Pattern: For a toddler of around 1 year, health perception is primarily determined by the caregiver. They rely on parental decisions for nutrition, hygiene, and medical care (Perry et al., 2018). In contrast, a 3-year-old toddler may start to exhibit preferences for certain foods and activities. This difference indicates an evolving sense of health perception (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2019).

Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern: The 1-year-old toddler has a diet predominantly consisting of breast milk or formula, while the 3-year-old may have a varied diet that includes solids. The nutritional needs of the two toddlers differ significantly due to age and developmental stages (Perry et al., 2018).

Elimination Pattern: Both toddlers are likely to be in the process of toilet training, but the 1-year-old is still heavily reliant on diapers (Perry et al., 2018). The 3-year-old may show more control and awareness in this aspect of elimination (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2019).

Activity-Exercise Pattern: A 1-year-old toddler is just beginning to explore mobility, while a 3-year-old is more active and engaged in play (S. L. P et al., 2021). These differences in activity levels reflect the natural progression of development.

Sleep-Rest Pattern: A 1-year-old toddler typically sleeps more than a 3-year-old (Perry et al., 2018). As they grow, the need for sleep decreases, and the sleep-rest pattern changes.

Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern: Cognitive development progresses significantly between the ages of 1 and 3. A 1-year-old is in the sensorimotor stage (Perry et al., 2018), while a 3-year-old may exhibit preoperational thinking. Their ability to understand and interact with the environment differs significantly (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2019).

Self-Perception-Self-Concept Pattern: Toddlers at age 1 have a limited self-concept (Perry et al., 2018), while 3-year-olds start to develop self-awareness and a sense of identity. This influences their behavior and social interactions (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2019).

Role-Relationship Pattern: A 1-year-old toddler’s primary relationship is with their caregiver. At age 3, they may start forming relationships with peers, which impacts their role and relationship patterns (Perry et al., 2018).

Coping-Stress Tolerance Pattern: Toddlers may have limited coping mechanisms (Perry et al., 2018), but a 3-year-old may display increased emotional regulation and adaptability compared to a 1-year-old (S. L. P et al., 2021).

Value-Belief Pattern: At age 1, toddlers do not have a defined value system (Perry et al., 2018). However, by age 3, they begin to adopt values and beliefs influenced by family and societal norms (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2019).

Conclusion

In this analysis, we have compared and contrasted the growth and developmental patterns of two toddlers, one aged 1 and the other aged 3, using Gordon’s functional health patterns (Perry et al., 2018). These patterns have provided insights into how growth and development affect various aspects of a toddler’s health. It is essential to consider these patterns when assessing and promoting the well-being of toddlers as they go through different stages of development.

References

Hockenberry, M. J., & Wilson, D. (2019). Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children (11th ed.). Mosby.

S. L. P, J., Norr, K. F., & C. E. J, S. (2021). Developmental Milestones. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Perry, S. E., Hockenberry, M. J., Lowdermilk, D. L., & Wilson, D. (2018). Maternal Child Nursing Care (6th ed.). Mosby.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns, and how is it applied to toddlers in the context of growth and development?

Answer: Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns is a framework for assessing an individual’s health. In the context of toddlers, it helps evaluate various aspects of their well-being, including nutrition, activity, sleep, and more, to understand their growth and development.

How do the nutritional and metabolic patterns of 1-year-old and 3-year-old toddlers differ?

Answer: A 1-year-old typically relies on breast milk or formula, while a 3-year-old has a more varied diet that includes solids. These differences are due to their distinct nutritional needs and developmental stages.

What changes in sleep-rest patterns occur as toddlers grow from age 1 to age 3?

Answer: A 1-year-old toddler tends to sleep more than a 3-year-old. As toddlers grow, their need for sleep decreases, leading to changes in their sleep-rest patterns.

How does the cognitive-perceptual pattern change as toddlers age from 1 to 3?

Answer: Cognitive development progresses significantly during this period. A 1-year-old is in the sensorimotor stage, while a 3-year-old may exhibit preoperational thinking, resulting in differences in their ability to understand and interact with their environment.

What role does the role-relationship pattern play in a toddler’s life, and how does it evolve from age 1 to age 3?

Answer: For a 1-year-old toddler, the primary relationship is with their caregiver. At age 3, they begin forming relationships with peers, which significantly impacts their role and relationship patterns, affecting their social interactions and development.