PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

 Why is physical Development so Important In early years ?

Creating patterns of action that will influence their entire future Good habits are more likely to stick if physical activity and healthy nutrition are introduced at a young age. Physical development may aid in the achieving and maintaining a healthy weight as well as the growth of strong bones, muscles, and a heart.

What is physical development?  

Physical development is the result of several ordered changes. It is associated with the growth and development of the body's organs, including the brain, muscles, and senses.

What are Fine Motor Skills? 

Motor skills are the synchronization of your child's tiny muscles, such as those in their hands, wrists, and fingers, with their eyes.Associated with smaller, more precise physical motions such as using scissors and coloring inside the lines. Children can demonstrate strong fine motor abilities by playing a game in which they pick up little jewels with tweezers and place them in a jar, or by writing their name in college ruled paper. Throughout much of their early and middle childhood, children continue to develop their fine motor abilities.

Four Major Stages to Physical Development 

Physical development is divided into four stages: infancy (birth to age 2), early childhood (years 3 to 8), middle childhood (ages 9 to 11), and adolescence (ages 12 - 18).

Milestones During Physical Development  

Development Milestones 

Month 2: The baby will start to lift his or her head and push upwards while lying on his or her belly.

 Month 4: When offered, the child should be able to keep his or her head stable without assistance, roll over from belly to back, put hands to mouth, and press feet against hard surfaces. 

Month 6: The baby will start to roll over in both directions, sit alone, and rock back and forth.

Month 9: Baby will start to stand while holding upon something, get into a sitting position, sit without support, and crawl. 

Age 1: Baby will start to get into a sitting position without assistance, pull up to stand and walk while holding onto furniture, and perhaps stand alone.

Month 18: The baby will start to walk independently, drink from a cup, feed with a spoon, and walk up stairs. 

Age 2: Baby will start to stand on tiptoe, kick a ball, run, go up and down stairs while hanging onto the railing, and throw a ball overhand 

Infancy in Early Childhood   (3-8 Years Old)

 Age 3:  able to climb, run easily, pedal a tricycle, and walk up and down stairs

 Age 4: hop and stand on one foot, catch a ball that has been bounced towards them, pour drinks, and cut his/her own food

 Age 5: hop, skip, use fork and spoon, use toilet on their own, swing, and climb

 Age 6: show skills of running, jumping, skipping and demonstrate better hand-eye coordination 

  Age 7 : Child should be able to ride a bicycle, twist, turn, spin, make their own beds, and clean the floor.

Age 8:  Child should be able to combine locomotor and motor abilities more fluidly.

Middle Childhood ( 9-11)

Age 9: The child may show early indications of puberty and go through a growth spurt. 

Age  10: The child should have improved coordination, speed, and balance. Puberty may also cause greasy skin and excessive perspiration in children. 

Age 11: The child should exhibit symptoms of puberty, better handwriting, and increased ability to utilize various instruments such as scissors. As a result of the treatment, the child may be sleeping and eating more. 

Adolescence (ages 12-18)

Age 12: Adolescents should exhibit puberty-related symptoms such as menstruation in girls and muscular growth in guys.

 Age 13: Adolescents may go through fast changes in their physical appearance. 

Age 14: Adolescents can grow several inches in a few months and reach sexual maturity.

15: Teenage girls will achieve their maximum height, and adolescent guys will start growing facial hair and speaking with a deeper voice. 

Age 16: Adolescents' desire for sleep and social acceptance grows. 

Age 17: Adolescents have completed puberty but may continue to build muscles. 

Age 18: Adolescents have completed their development and have achieved sexual maturity.