Healthy physical development enables children to move, explore and learn new skills. Measured separately from physical growth, development refers to the increasing strength and control of large and small muscles. As children develop physically, they learn to use their muscles to play, increase mobility and to interact with their environment.
Types
Physical development includes the onset and practice of gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor development indicates strengthening and control of larger muscles such as those in the torso, arms and legs. Gross motor skills enable children to sit, stand, run and change positions, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Fine motor development refers to growing control of smaller muscles such as those in the hands and fingers. Fine motor skills include sorting, scribbling and eating with a spoon.
Significance
Pediatricians and parents use developmental milestones to gauge a child's progress based on normative guidelines. Milestones indicate typical developmental expectations based on age, and include physical, cognitive, social and language development categories. Physical milestones list movements and tasks that indicate healthy muscle development. Milestones show you what to look for and when in terms of physical development, and can help you identify possible developmental delays.
Infant Development
Physical milestones at 3 months include lifting the head and chest during tummy time, using arms for support during tummy time, stretching and kicking legs, bringing hands to the mouth and grasping hand toys, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seven-month milestones include rolling back to front and front to back, sitting, raking objects with the hands and supporting leg weight with help, adds the CDC.
Toddler and Preschool Development
By age 1, children can pull up to standing position, walk with or without help, crawl and change from sitting to crawling position independently. At 2, children can run, stand on tiptoes, kick a ball, and get on and off furniture, according to the CDC. Children learn to ride a tricycle by age 3, alternate feet when climbing stairs by 4, and balance on one foot, hop and swing by age 5.
Considerations
Promote healthy physical development by providing developmentally appropriate toys and activities for young children. During infancy, give children time to play on the floor and provide colorful toys to encourage reaching, grasping and movement. As children grow, provide open spaces for crawling, scooting and walking, and provide sturdy furniture for pulling up. Make sure children get both indoor and outdoor playtime to encourage movement. Provide sorting toys, puzzles, rattles, finger food, art materials and blocks to promote fine motor development.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Developmental Milestones
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Important Milestones: By the End of Three Months
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Important Milestones: By the End of Seven Months
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Important Milestones: By the End of Two Years
