Comparing Toddler Development Using Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns

Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns provide a framework for assessing a person’s health and well-being across various domains. Let’s compare the growth and development of a 15-month-old toddler (Toddler A) and a 24-month-old toddler (Toddler B) using these patterns:

Health Perception-Health Management:

• Toddler A: Relies heavily on parents for healthcare needs. May express discomfort through crying or fussiness.
• Toddler B: Understands basic concepts of hygiene like washing hands. May show increased awareness of illness and seek comfort from parents.

Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern:

• Toddler A: Primarily consumes breast milk or formula with some introduction of solid foods. Begins exploring self-feeding with utensils but requires assistance.
• Toddler B: More independent with eating, using utensils effectively for most meals. Shows increased preferences for specific tastes and textures.

Elimination Pattern:

• Toddler A: Still transitioning from diapers to potty training. Elimination patterns might be inconsistent.
• Toddler B: May be partially or fully potty-trained, requiring minimal assistance. Understands the need for toileting and communicates it verbally.

Activity-Exercise Pattern:

• Toddler A: Highly active, exploring surroundings through crawling, climbing, and manipulating objects. Gross motor skills are developing rapidly.
• Toddler B: Engages in more complex physical activities like running, jumping, and climbing stairs. Fine motor skills are improving with the ability to build towers, scribble, and turn pages in books.

Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern:

• Toddler A: Learning basic language skills with a vocabulary of few words. Understands simple instructions and enjoys exploring cause-and-effect relationships.
• Toddler B: Communicates through two-word sentences and has a larger vocabulary. Shows increased curiosity and asks questions about the world around them. Follows simple directions and may engage in pretend play.

Sleep-Rest Pattern:

• Toddler A: Typically requires two naps and sleeps for around 11-12 hours at night. Sleep patterns might be disrupted during teething or developmental leaps.
• Toddler B: May transition to one nap or none. Sleeps for around 10-12 hours at night. Improved self-soothing skills might lead to more consistent sleep patterns.

Self-Perception-Self-Concept Pattern:

• Toddler A: Developing a sense of self-awareness. May experience separation anxiety and cling to familiar caregivers.
• Toddler B: Shows increased independence and a desire to do things themselves. May express emotions more verbally and through tantrums. Beginning to build a sense of self-esteem and identity.

Role-Relationship Pattern:

• Toddler A: Forms strong attachments to primary caregivers. Explores relationships with siblings and other children through play.
• Toddler B: Engages in more complex social interactions, demonstrating empathy and cooperation with other children. May assert dominance or experience conflicts with peers.

Sexuality-Reproductive Pattern:

• Toddler A: Exploring their body through touch and manipulation. Gender identity is not yet established.
• Toddler B: Shows increased curiosity about their bodies and differences between genders. May engage in play that explores basic concepts of intimacy.

Coping-Stress Tolerance Pattern:

• Toddler A: Relies on caregivers for emotional support and comfort. May express frustration through crying or tantrums.
• Toddler B: Developing coping mechanisms like self-soothing or verbalizing their needs. May still experience tantrums but might be more easily redirected.

Values-Belief Pattern:

• Toddler A: Learning basic values through interactions with caregivers.
• Toddler B: Begins to understand simple concepts of right and wrong. May display behavior that tests boundaries and rules.

Conclusion:

Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns provide a valuable tool for understanding the developmental changes toddlers experience across various domains. Toddler A demonstrates the characteristics of a typical 15-month-old, while Toddler B exhibits the development expected of a 24-month-old. As toddlers grow, their physical, cognitive, and social abilities evolve, requiring adjustments in their care and environment to support their ongoing growth and development.