Physical Development

Involves the growth and change in a person’s body and bodily functions.Physical development involves both physiological and motor development.

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Motor Skills

Are skills which enable us to move and control our bodies.

They can be divided into gross (large) and fine (small) motor skills.

Both gross and fine motor skills require practise and opportunity to develop muscle strength, balance and co-ordination.

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Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills involve co-ordination of the large muscles. For example: crawling, walking, climbing, etc.

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Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills involve co-ordination of the small muscles (manipulation). For example: grasping, turning knobs, drawing, etc.

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Physical changes during Infancy

The infant’s growth:

A period of rapid growthWeight usually doubles by 6 months and is three times birth

weight by 12 monthsLength and height changes are equally rapidMuscles, bones and nerve tissues mature

(See: Kearns, 2010 Birth to big school pages 80 – 98)

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Fostering Physical Skills of Infants

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Fostering Physical Skills of Infants

Educators need to:

- Provide a balanced , nutritious diet- Follow infant’s lead in exploring the physical

environment- Offer appropriate encouragement- Provide a clean, safe and stimulating environment- Provide variety- Allow for repetition and mastery- Include music to stimulate movement- Monitor each child for a range of physical skills and

note frustrations etc.

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Gross Motor Development During Toddlerhood

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Gross Motor Development During Toddlerhood

The Toddler:

Walks well with feet slightly apart Stops for obstacles Walks backwards Displays much energy Show more flexibility at knees and ankles Displays better balance Now runs Walks upstairs (two feet per step) By 30-36 months walks downstairs Jumps off bottom step, one foot leading

the other Kicks a large stationary ball Pushes a tricycle along with feet

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Supporting Toddler’s Gross Motor Skills

Educators need to provide a range of play equipment:

- Wooden tricycles- Trolleys- Stepping stones- Large balls- Bean bags- Small tunnels- Large cardboard boxes

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Fine Motor Development During Toddlerhood

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Fine Motor Development During Toddlerhood

The Toddler:

By 18 months uses a spoon wellBuilds with stacking blocksPushes in large puzzle piecesStrings large beads with a stiff threaderUses two hands to cut with scissorsGrasps a pencil between thumb and forefinger (pincer

grip)Hammers large knobs and wooden pegs and turn

knobsUndresses well though finds dressing more difficult

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Supporting Toddler’s Fine Motor Skills

Educators need to provide or encourage:

Spoon and cup play in both dramatic play and in the sandpitAppropriate sized buttons and zippers

on clothingPuzzles with large piecesLarge beads for threadingThick paint brushesNesting cupsWater play

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Gross Motor Development during the Preschool Years

(See Kearns 2010 handout – pages 18-24

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Fine Motor Development during the Preschool Years

See Kearns 2010 pages 18-24

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Motor Development During Middle Childhood

Children develop, refine and find new ways to extend basic skills gained in early childhood (running, balancing, hopping, drawing)

Skill development can be observed through ball play, bike riding, skipping,dancing, writing etc.

There are a wide range of individual differences related to practice andinherited characteristics

Boys tend to be stronger than girls butgirls display more muscular flexibility

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