Physical Development (Jason Verduga)

                   Physical Development

What is Physical Development?

Physical development encompasses the growth and skill development of the body, including the brain, muscles, and senses. This development involves two types of skills:

Fine motor skills Fine motor skills involve the use of the small muscles that control the hand, fingers, and thumb. They help children perform important tasks like feeding themselves, grasping toys, buttoning and zipping clothes, writing, drawing, and more. Gross motor skills: Gross motor skills involve using the large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso. These skills include walking, running, skipping, jumping, throwing, climbing, crawling, swimming, and hopping.

                      

Physical Development Milestones

• Gross Motor Skills:

• 0-6 months: Babies begin to lift their heads while lying on their stomachs (prone position) and can roll from side to side.
• 6-12 months: Sitting without support, crawling, pulling to stand, and cruising (walking while holding onto furniture) are common milestones.
• 12-18 months: Walking independently, climbing stairs with assistance, and beginning to run are typical achievements during this period.
• 18-24 months: Running more confidently, kicking a ball, and beginning to jump off low surfaces.

• Fine Motor Skills:

• 0-6 months: Grasping objects, reaching for and batting at toys, and bringing objects to the mouth are early fine motor skills.
• 6-12 months: Picking up small objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp), banging objects together, and starting to use utensils for self-feeding.
• 12-18 months: Scribbling with crayons, stacking blocks, and turning pages of a book are common fine motor achievements.

18-24 months: Building simple block towers, using utensils more effectively, and beginning to turn knobs and handles. These milestones are general guidelines, and individual children may reach them at slightly different ages. It's important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and variations in development are normal. If there are concerns about a child's physical development, consulting a pediatrician or early childhood development specialist can provide guidance and support

Theoretical background of Physical development 

Two influential figures in the field of child development are Arnold Gesell and Jean Piaget. Gesell is known for his work on physical development and the predictable sequence of physical milestones in children. He proposed that children progress naturally through various physical stages, such as sitting, crawling, and walking, in a predetermined order, largely independent of environmental influences.

 

On the other hand, Jean Piaget, well-known for his work in cognitive development, also made important contributions to understanding physical development. He suggested that children's cognitive development influences their understanding and perception of the physical world around them, which in turn affects their physical development. Piaget's stages of cognitive development provide a framework for understanding how children's thinking patterns evolve and how these changes influence their interactions with the physical environment. 

 

Promoting physical development 

One way to promote healthy physical development is by incorporating activities into daily routines that focus on fine and gross motor skills. For example, you can start the day with morning yoga, have free-time dance parties, and encourage outdoor activities such as running, jumping, climbing, and exploring. These activities help develop gross motor skills. Enroll children in age-appropriate sports or dance classes to promote physical fitness and social skills. Additionally, provide manipulative toys like blocks, puzzles, and beads that require grasping, and encourage art and craft activities such as drawing, painting, and clay modeling to strengthen hand-eye coordination.5. Charts, pictures, videos, and multimedia to make your website attractive to readers

 

CDC. (2023, June 6). CDC’s Developmental Milestones. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

Tyler, S. (2020). Chapter 13: Physical Development in Early Childhood. Uark.pressbooks.pub. https://uark.pressbooks.pub/hbse1/chapter/physical-development-in-early-childhood_ch_13/

Zeng, N., Ayyub, M., Sun, H., Wen, X., Xiang, P., & Gao, Z. (2017). Effects of Physical Activity on Motor Skills and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review. BioMed Research International, 2017(2760716), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2760716