Final answer:
The average growth rate of 3.2 inches/year for the child between the ages of 4½ and 6 means that their height increased by that amount over the course of one year, which is slightly above the typical range. Growth rates are not constant and change over time, particularly as children approach pre-adolescence and adolescence.
Step-by-step explanation:
An average growth rate of 3.2 inches/year means that over the course of a year, the child's height is expected to increase by approximately 3.2 inches on average. Considering the typical growth rates for children between the ages of 4½ and 6, which range from about 2-3 inches per year, a 3.2 inches per year growth rate would be slightly higher than the average. This value reflects the child's overall change in stature during that specific time period.
During childhood, growth rates can vary. As a child approaches the adolescent growth spurt (AGS), those rates may change, particularly as girls approach the onset of puberty typically earlier than boys. It's important to remember that while this is an average growth rate over a given year, actual growth can occur in spurts and may not be perfectly linear.