by Lisa Wood
What is physical
development?
Physical development focuses on increasing the skill and performance
of the body. The peak of physical development happens in childhood and is
therefore a crucial time for neurological brain development and body
coordination to encourage specific activities such as grasping, writing,
crawling, and walking. Physical development can be divided into gross motor
skills and fine motor skills.
Gross Motor Control
Fine Motor Control
Achieving fine motor control involves using and coordinating
the small muscles in the hand and wrists with mastery. During the development
process, children can self-help and manipulate small objects such as scissors
and writing tools. Fine motor skills generally follow gross motor development.
Stages of Physical Development in Children
- Infant
During the first few weeks and
months of an infant's life, her movements are reflexive or involuntary in
nature. Some reflex actions exhibited by the newborn infant include the startle
reflex, which is elicited by sudden loud sounds or position changes, and the
grasp reflex, in which an infant instinctively grasps objects put in her hands
or feet. Between the ages of 1 month and 1 year, a child should be able to hold
her head up on her own, sit without support, creep or crawl, walk, grasp
objects on her own and pick up small objects with her thumb and forefinger.
- Toddler
A toddler is between the ages of 1
and 3 years old. At this time, a child's physical development should include
being able to walk without help, jump in place, go up a staircase, hold a cup
of water, scribble with a crayon and copy a circle. During this period, a child
should also be able to ride a tricycle and build a tower of blocks.
- Preschooler
The preschool years occur between
the ages of 3 and 5 years old. The preschooler attains physical skills at this
point that should include standing on one foot for ten seconds or more, hopping
or skipping, swinging and climbing, throwing and catching a ball, using a fork
and spoon and drawing a person with a body. At this stage, your preschooler may
be able to take care of his toileting needs, according to the National Network
for Child Care.
- School-Aged Child
A child between the ages of 6 and
12 years is considered a school-aged child. The movements of the school-aged
child are more graceful and coordinated. School-aged children have good
hand-eye coordination and can engage in activities like cutting and pasting,
swimming, soccer, basketball, hiking and playing video games.
Parental Involvement
Play
is the most beneficial activity for promoting early childhood physical
development. The most significant factor children need from play with parents
is to have fun while doing it. The most efficient way to play with your child
is to provide interesting and exciting environments like pretend play at home
as well as frequent visits to playgrounds, children’s gyms, and/or other
community facilities designed just for children.
- Have a block building contest.
- Walk with the kids and provide them with the opportunity to run and jump and use their large muscles.
- Prepare a simple obstacle course for your child to jump over and run around in your backyard or in the house.
- Play catch with balls. You can also play games that will help the child learn to kick and throw the ball.
- Have a mini dance party at home. Put on some music and dance with your child
- Play pretend games like laying a tightrope on the ground and trying to balance on it.
- Get creative with art. Provide your child ample opportunities to draw in and around the house.
- Get some child-safe scissors and teach your kid some craft work.
- Get toys that can boost physical development in your child like a tricycle, basketball hoop or hula hoops.
- Have a water pool in the backyard and encourage your child to splash or paddle under supervision.
- Get your child to help with simple fun chores like bathing the dog or washing the car.
- Ensure that your child has adequate sleep to enable overall development.
- Take the child for a routine check-up to catch any issues early.
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Gross And Fine Motor Development
- Fine Motor Skills
- Physical Development in Children and Adolescents
- Physical Developmental Milestones
Video
Supporting Physical Development in Infants and Toddlers
References
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/96678-define-physical-development/
- https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/physical-development-in-early-childhood/
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/109222-physical-development-children-ages-years/?ajax=1&is=1
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_1Dbg2555A
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