Physical development refers to the growing control and strengthening of small and large muscles. Children develop in stages, gaining control in the larger muscles of the upper body first. Physical development takes place in two directions, from the head down and the trunk out. Developmental progress is measured using milestones based on typical sequential development.
Significance
Physical development in children includes both normative and dynamic development. Normative development indicates typical developmental expectations for children based on age, and is represented in milestone checklists, according to the North Dakota State University Extension. Dynamic development refers to the interaction of physical skills gained through practice and experience, and relates more to the mastery and improvement of learned skills. Normative developmental guidelines are used to assess typical physical developmental progress.
Identification
Physical development enables children to explore and interact with their environment. Milestones in physical development used to measure normative progress include gross and fine motor skills. Motor development refers to a child's growing ability to use muscles purposefully, enabling children to learn movement patterns and skills, according to the North Dakota State University Extension.
Types
Gross motor skills refer to growing control of larger muscles such as those in the arms, torso and legs. Examples of gross motor skills include crawling, sitting, reaching and walking. Since babies develop from the head down, leg control comes after upper body control.
Fine motor development indicates control in smaller muscles such as those in the face, hands, fingers and wrists. Examples of fine motor skills include grasping, smiling, picking up finger foods and scribbling.
Time Frame
Physical milestones from birth to six months include lifting the head and chest during tummy time, grasping a rattle, moving toys from one hand to another, sitting with support and rolling over, according to the National Network for Child Care. By 12 months, an infant can feed himself finger foods, crawl, walk with help, drink from a cup and pull himself up.
At 18 months, toddlers can toss a ball, walk forward and backward, and get on and off of low furniture, according to the University of Missouri Extension. Toddlers learn to run and climb by two years of age, and can ride a tricycle, balance on one leg, jump and alternate feet when climbing stairs by age three, according to the extension. Children learn to skip by age four, and by age five can hop and play more complex ball games.
Considerations
To promote healthy physical development, make sure children get time to move and play daily. Place your baby on her tummy from around three months of age to help her strengthen her trunk and neck muscles. Place toys just out of reach to encourage reaching, grasping and crawling. Provide sturdy furniture for children to pull up on. Give older children opportunities to run and climb, and provide a variety of balls in different sizes. Make sure children have access to riding toys and push and pull toys. Provide modeling clay, puzzles, blocks, sorting toys and art materials to encourage fine motor development.
References
- North Dakota State University Extension Service: Understanding Physical Development in Young Children
- Goodheart-Wilcox Company: Physical Development of the Infant
- National Network for Child Care: Developmental Milestones: A Guide for Parents
- University of Missouri Extension: Physical Development: Infancy Through Preschool
