Book 2, Question 89
Why Do Some Kids Grow Faster?
Some kids shoot up early, and others take a little longer. Both are normal. Genes, food, sleep, and timing all play a part. Being first or last in line is usually just timing.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- In their first year, babies grow about 10 inches and triple their birth weight.
- After age one, growth in length slows down quite a bit.
- A child's growth pattern is mostly set by their genes.
- Doctors plot kids' height and weight on growth charts at checkups to follow them over time.
- Growing normally is one of the best signs that a child is healthy overall.
- Babies, kids, and teens all have growth spurts, short times of fast growth.
Sources: KidsHealth (Nemours), KidsHealth (Nemours), Cleveland Clinic
Questions kids ask
Is it OK to be shorter than my friends?
Yes. There is a wide range of normal, and growth timing is mostly set by your genes.