Physical Development in Children

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 Physical Development:-
Growth
Motor Skills
Puberty maturity

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 Growth
Changes in
size,
body weight
height
head & arm circumference
Body muscles
teeth
bones
Etc.

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 Changes in Body Size
Body grows more rapidly
Growth occurs in small spurts
Length
50% greater at age 1
75% greater at age 2
Weight
Doubled by 5 months
Tripled by 1 year
Quadrupled at 2 years

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Changes in Body Proportions

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 Body weight

Changes in body weight is more dramatic

New born 2.7 3.6 kg.
5 mths body weight 2 x weight at birth)
1 year old 3 x
2 year old 4 x
2-3 yr. old rapid change in weight (spurt)
After 3 yr. old slower rate
The first 6 mths changes focused > on muscle growth.
6-12 mths dev. focused > on movement
2 yrs pre puberty body weight increase 2.5 kg per year
Girls slightly shorter and lighter
Ethnic differences
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 Growth Trends

Cephalocaudal trend
proceeds from head to tail
head and chest develop/grow first before trunk and legs.

Proximodistal trend
Center of the body outward
arms and legs before hands and feet.

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 Body Fat/Appearance

Subcutaneous fat begin to form in the fetus about 6 weeks

before birth.
First 9 mths Sub. Fat continue to accumulate rapidly
making baby look rounded & filled up.
Gain baby fat until about 9 months After 9 mth, fat
accumulation slows down.
1 yr old middle childhood less fat accumulationToddlers
become more slender (slimmer)
Muscle tone increase
Helps maintain constant temp.
Muscle tissue increases slowly Peaks in adolescence
Girls= more fat than boys
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 Body fat and muscle contributes to the
development and body structure:

Ectomorph small/tall, slim, skinny

Endomorph flabby, obese

Mesomorph tough, musculine

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 Height
Child of same age may differ in height.
Baby length increase 30% until 5 mths old
By age 1 yr length increase to 50%
5 years old height doubles/triples
2yrs old - puberty height increase 2-3 in. per year.
Adolescent sudden changes in height & weight (growth
spurt)

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 Head circumference
Baby
Brain mass of a newborn about 2/3 of adult size
Head circ. of a new born 30-38 cm
6 mths old baby 42.5 cm
Head circ/size increase parallel to brain development.
Newborn head bigger than body size due to rapid
brain development during pre natal period.
5 yrs. Old brain weigh about 90% of adult brain.
6 yrs. old brain equivalent to adult weight.

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 Ratio body:feet

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 What is Brain?
Body most vital organ.
Each person is born with over 100
billions brain cells (neurons).
Brains can send signals to thousands
of other cells in the body at speed of
more than 200 m/hr
Brain growth before & after birth is
fundamental to future development.
Sensitive Periods in Brain
Development
Several growth spurts in first 2 years
Rich and varied experiences stimulate
brain development
Experience-expectant growth
Ordinary experiences
expected by brain to grow normally
Experience-dependent growth
13 Specific experience, varies widely
BRAIN
Each part of the brain is very important in infuencing a child development
integration between child emotions and behavior.

Middle brain: Limbic System Outer Brain: Cortex &

Covers motivation, emotions, & neocortex
long term memory, aggressive Divided into
behavior, body temperature, lobes/sections (folds)
hunger, nerve system activities, with specific
hormon secretion functions.
Placement of
Brain stem intelligence & higer
Control process such as
mental process,
learning, memory,
breathing, heartbeat muscle thinking, language
movement, kidney process, (last to develop)
reflex behavior, sleep, Also control vision,
arousal, attention, hearing, inventing.
balance/movement etc.

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 1 organ with 3 mini brains:

Brainstem (inner core)

Breathing, heartbeat muscle movement,
reflex behavior
Limbic system
Covers the brainstem
Motivation, emotions, & long term memory
Cerebellum control automatic movements
& balance
Cerebral cortex
Higher mental process.
Structure of the
Learning, memory, Thinking, Language
Last to develop Brain

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 Regions of the Cerebral Cortex
Thin layer on the brains surface that
include lobes or sections:
Occipital lobe
Process vision.
Temporal Lobe
Process hearing
Parietal Lobe
Process sensory stimuli
Frontal Lobe
Critical thinking & problem solving
Frontal cortex area of the cortex
that controls personality and the ability
to carry out plans
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 Left/Right Hemisphere

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Brain and Neurons ...OTAK & NEURON
New born brain 100 billions brain cells (neurons) ready to
operate but the brain cells/neurons are not connected yet.
Neurons are cell bodies with nucleas, composed of DNA (which
contains the cells genetic programming).
As the brain grows the cell migrate to various parts
spread out to perform different functions they sprout axons
& dendrites.
Networks of neurons become more complex over the first few
years of life.

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Brain and Neurons ...OTAK & NEURON
First 3 years of life childrens brain
are actively building and developing
connections between the neurons cells.
Connections are developed when the
brain are actively receiving stimulus
process between receiving and sending
impulses between the cells.
Through axons/dendrites send signals
to other neurons & receive incoming
message through connection called
synapses.
Synapses is the connection between
nerve cells sending signals to the Synapses allow nerve cells to
brain. communicate with one
another through axons and
The brains define what is it/who we are. dendrites, converting
With proper stimulation, the synapses electrical signals into
become stronger.
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chemicals ones.
 Synapses allow nerve cells to
communicate with one
another through axons and
dendrites, converting
electrical signals into
chemicals ones.

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Brain and Neurons
The message transmission process from
one neuron to the other is done through
synap with the aid of neurotransmiter
that moves through the gap between
axon of one cell and dendrite of another
.
The neurons networking developed based
on childrens experiences where each
experience leads to the development of
new brain cells as more informations
gain.
With proper stimulation, the synapses
become stronger information moves
faster.
Thus, enhancing their development is very
crutial
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 More About Neurons
With more stimulations Neurons increase in size.
Neurons become coated with MYELIN, a fatty
substance that helps insulate neurons and speeds
transmission of nerve impulses.
The brain is made up of neurons, and triples its
weight in the first two years of life making the
infant brain 3/4 its adult size by age two.
As they grow, neurons become arranged by function.
Some move into the CEREBRAL CORTEX, the upper layer
of the brain.
Others move to subcortical levels, which regulate
fundamental activities such as breathing and heart rate
(and are below the cerebral cortex).
 Skeletal Growth
Embryonic skeleton
Soft, pliable tissue (cartilage)
Beginning at week 6
At birth babies have soft bones cartilage.
Changes in bones structure:
a. Lengthen
b. Harden
c. Increase

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 Changes In Bones Structure
Lengthened Hardened
Bones become At birth/baby soft bones (cartilage)
water content is high.
longer, bigger &
During the process of ossification, bones
thicker harden calcium deposited.
Bones will stop Eg. As baby skulls harden & fuse Fontanel
growing when it gradually close (about 2 years old).
harden (reach Ossification occurs before birth and ends
maturity) when a person reach maturity.
Nutritious food calcium, phosphorous &
vitamins helps ossification

Increase
Number of bones increases parallel to its function
Eg. Number of bones in the wrist & ankle increases with
age
1 yr. 3 wrist bones;
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adult 9 wrist bones
Growth of the Skull
(Rapid during first 2 years)

At birth
Bone of the skull
separate
These gaps are called
fontanels
Sutures = seams of the
skull
By 2 years Gaps filled
in

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 Motor Skills
Motor skills are
Voluntary movements of the body or parts of the
body.
Controlled development of body movement through
the coordination of central nervous system , sensory
system and body muscles.
A child motor skill contributes to child further
development able to control movement assist
adaptation in the environment.
Motor Development:
Gross motor skill
Fine motor skill
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 Motor Development
Gross Fine motor development
Motor Development
The ability to carry out smoothly
Involves big muscles.
small movements that involve
Large movements precise timing but not strength.
Eg. Crawling, Smaller movements
Walking, Running,
e.g. Reaching and grasping
Jumping
Sequence the same
Head proceeds arms
Large differences in rate of motor
and trunk
progress
Improves dramatically
Eg. Reaching, grasping, pinching,
during preschool years
writing, drawing
Involves the coordination
between hand control and vision
(Eye-Hand coordination)

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 Fine Motor Skill Development
(Reaching And Grasping)
Steps in fine motor skill development:-
1. Prereaching (newborn) - Palmer grasp (reflex grasp)
2. Ulnar Grasp (3-4 months)
Changing/passing object from one hand to the other
(5-8 mths)
3. Pincer grasp (9- above)

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 Reaching and Grasping

1. Pre_reaching (0-2 months) 2. Ulnar grasp (3-4 mth)

Uncoordinated, primitive Clumsy grasp
reaching Fingers close against the
Palmer grasp (reflex grasp)
palm
Hand grasping & movement
without coordination.
Often fail to grasp object
3. Pincer grasp (9 mth)
Well-coordinated grasp
successfully may make
Oppositional use of the
contact with object but fail
to enclose it in their fingers forefinger and thumb
The grasp reflex should
disappear in 2 -3 months
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 Early Experience and Reaching
Trying to push infants beyond their current readiness to
handle stimulation can undermine the development of
important motor skills.
As infants and toddlers motor skills develop, their
caregivers must devote more energies to protecting them
from harm.

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 Physical
Development in
Early Childhood

.
Physical Development in Early Childhood

Body Growth Slows

Shape becomes more streamlined
Skeletal Growth Continues
New growth centers
Lose baby teeth
 Influences on Physical Growth & Health
Heredity and Hormones
Growth hormone
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Emotional Well-Being
Psychosocial dwarfism
Sleep
Nutrition
Infectious Disease
Immunization
Childhood Injuries
Nutrition in Early Childhood

Appetite becomes unpredictable

Like familiar foods
Need high-quality diet
Social environment influences food choices
Imitate admired people
Repeated exposure to foods
Emotional climate,parental pressure
Poverty
 Malnutrition & Its Effects
Malnutrition, the condition of having an improper amount and
balance of nutrients produces several results.
slower growth
susceptibility to disease
lower IQ scores
Malnutrition can also cause:
MARASMUS, a disease characterized by the cessation of
growth in infants.
Older children are susceptible to KWASHIORKOR, a
disease in which a child's stomach, limbs, and face swell with
water.
 Malnutrition

Marasmus
(severe malnutrition)
Types
Kwashiorkor
(protein deficiency)

Physical symptoms
Growth and weight problems
Consequences Poor motor development
Learning, attention problems
37 Passivity, irritability, anxiety
Factors Related to Childhood Injuries
Individual Differences
Gender
Temperament
Poverty, low parental education
More children in the home
Societal conditions
International differences
Motor Skill Development in Early Childhood
Gross Motor Skills
Walking, running smoother
Catching, throwing, swinging, riding
Fine Motor Skills
Self-help: dressing, eating
Drawing
Progression of Drawing Skills
Scribbles: during 2nd year
First Representational Forms
Label already-made drawings:
around age 3
Draw boundaries and people:
34 years
More Realistic Drawings:
preschool to school age
Early Printing: Ages 35
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Individual Differences in Motor Skills

Body Build
Taller, longer limbed better at running
and jumping
Sex
Boys: better at power
and force
Girls: fine motor skills, balance, foot
movement
Enhancing Early Childhood Motor
Development

Mastered through everyday play

Formal lessons have little impact
Daily routines support fine motor
development
Provide appropriate play space and
equipment
Promote fun and positive attitude
Activities that Enhance Gross Motor Development

Skipping
Jumping
Hopping
Climbing
Ball throwing
Dancing
Swinging on swings
Sliding on slides
Sandbox play

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Activities that Enhance Fine Motor Development

Cutting
Coloring
Drawing
Playing with play dough
Playing with finger puppets
Stringing and lacing activities like stringing beads, macaroni
or cheerios
Putting puzzles together

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 When children are able to exercise fine and large
motor skills through play, they will soon learn to
master proficiency in controlling movements of the
small and large muscles of the body.
By providing an environment for natural play-
based activities, preschool teachers are able to
enhance a childs opportunity for physical
development.

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 Conclusion

Running, jumping, skipping, hopping, drawing, cutting, pasting,

stacking - these are the skills young children develop as they
grow physically.
They make possible the interactions and activities that bring
richness and enjoyment to anyone's life.
From muscles to motor skills, the unfolding picture of a child's
physical development is an exciting experience to observe.
Parents and caregivers should pay attention to their child's
physical growth and give loving support as their children develop
these skills.

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 Milestone
in
Physical Development

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 Milestones of Motor Development

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 By 3 MTHS OLD:
MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

lift head when held at your shoulder

lift head and chest when lying on his stomach
turn head from side to side when lying on his stomach
follow a moving object or person with his eyes
often hold hands open or loosely fisted
grasp rattle when given to her
wiggle and kick with arms and legs

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 By 6 Mths Old:
MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
hold head steady when sitting with your help
reach for and grasp objects
play with his toes
help hold the bottle during feeding
explore by mouthing and banging objects
move toys from one hand to another
shake a rattle
pull up to a sitting position on her own if you grasp her hands
sit with only a little support
sit in a high chair
roll over
bounce when held in a standing position
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MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT By 12 mths old

drink from a cup with help

feed herself finger food like raisins or bread crumbs
grasp small objects by using her thumb and index or forefinger
use his first finger to poke or point
put small blocks in and take them out of a container
knock two blocks together
sit well without support
crawl on hands and knees
pull himself to stand or take steps holding onto furniture
stand alone momentarily
walk with one hand held
cooperate with dressing by offering a foot or an arm
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 By 18 months:
MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

like to pull, push, and dump things

pull off hat, socks, and mittens
turn pages in a book
stack 2 blocks
carry a stuffed animal or doll
scribble with crayons
walk without help
run stiffly, with eyes on the ground

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 By 2 years old:
MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

drink from a straw

feed himself with a spoon
help in washing hands
put arms in sleeves with help build a tower of 3-4 blocks
toss or roll a large ball
open cabinets, drawers, boxes
operate a mechanical toy
bend over to pick up a toy and not fall
walk up steps with help
take steps backward

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 By 3 MTHS OLD:

MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
lift head when held at your shoulder
lift head and chest when lying on his stomach
turn head from side to side when lying on his stomach
follow a moving object or person with his eyes
often hold hands open or loosely fisted
grasp rattle when given to her
wiggle and kick with arms and legs

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 MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
By 6 Mths Old:

hold head steady when sitting with your help

reach for and grasp objects
play with his toes
help hold the bottle during feeding
explore by mouthing and banging objects
move toys from one hand to another
shake a rattle
pull up to a sitting position on her own if you grasp her hands
sit with only a little support
sit in a high chair
roll over
bounce when held in a standing position
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MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
By 12 mths old

drink from a cup with help

feed herself finger food like raisins or bread crumbs
grasp small objects by using her thumb and index or forefinger
use his first finger to poke or point
put small blocks in and take them out of a container
knock two blocks together
sit well without support
crawl on hands and knees
pull himself to stand or take steps holding onto furniture
stand alone momentarily
walk with one hand held
cooperate with dressing by offering a foot or an arm
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 MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
By 18 months:

like to pull, push, and dump things

pull off hat, socks, and mittens
turn pages in a book
stack 2 blocks
carry a stuffed animal or doll
scribble with crayons
walk without help
run stiffly, with eyes on the ground

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 MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
By 2 years old:
drink from a straw
feed himself with a spoon
help in washing hands
put arms in sleeves with help build a tower of 3-4 blocks
toss or roll a large ball
open cabinets, drawers, boxes
operate a mechanical toy
bend over to pick up a toy and not fall
walk up steps with help
take steps backward

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MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
By 3 years of age does your child:
- feed himself (with some spilling)
- open doors
- hold a glass in one hand
- hold a crayon well
- wash and dry hands by himself
- fold paper, if shown how
- build a tower of 54 blocks
- throw a ball overhead
- try to catch a large ball
- put on shoes (but not tie laces)
- dress herself with help
- use the toilet with some help
- walk up steps, alternating feet
- walk on tiptoes if shown how
- walk in a straight line
- kick a ball forward
- jump with both feet
61 - pedal a tricycle
MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
By 4 years old:
- feed herself (with little spilling)
- try to use a fork
- hold a pencil
- try to write name
- draw with the arm and not small hand movements
- draw a circle & a face
- try to cut paper with blunt scissors
- sometimes unbutton buttons
- try to buckle, button, and lace, even though she probably needs help
- completely undress herself if wearing clothes with simple fasteners
- brush teeth with help
- build a tower of 7-9 blocks
- put together a simple puzzle of 4-12 pieces
- pour from a small pitcher
- use the toilet alone
- try to skip
- catch a bouncing ball
- walk downstairs using a handrail and alternating feet
- swing, starting by himself and keeping himself going
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 Motor Skills
4-5 years old Child able to control most of his
movement (jump, run, walk, climb).
Above 5 yrs. Old good fine motor development
able to do more complex coordinated movement
(throw & catch ball, writing, hold object with care)
The sequence in motor skill development also follows
cephalocaudal, proximodistal and mass to specific
principle.

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MOTOR-PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
By 5 Years old:
hops and skips
dresses without help
good balance and smoother muscle action
Skates
rides bicycles and scooter
prints simple letters
ties shoes
girls small muscle development about 1 year ahead of boys.

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 Recommended Resources
Bayley, N. (1993). Bayley Scales of Infant Development (2nd
ed.). New York: Psychological Corp.
Research-based guidelines related to a child's growth and
development. Useful for assessment and under-standing of
key growth indicators.
Hammet, C.T. (1992). Movement Activities for Early
Childhood. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.
Useful resource highlighting different types of movement
activities that can assist young children with physical
development.
Kristensen, N. (2001). Basic Parenting Focus Issue: Motor
Development. Minneapolis, Minn.: Family Information
Services.
Payne, V. G., and L.D. Isaacs. (1987). Human Motor
Development: A Lifespan Approach. Mountain View, Calif.:
Mayfield.
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