Physical Development

Milestones

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT.
..refers to growth in the ability of children
to use their bodies and physical skills.
is continuous and sequential.
occurs from general to specific.
2 Main Domains:

Gross motor skills - development of large muscles and

the ability to move from place to place or do physical
activities that involve the large muscles of the body,
arms and legs.

Fine motor skills - development of small muscles and the

ability to control use of the hands and feet, and do
activities that involve the small muscles of the fingers,
toes and other parts of the body.

Given the envelope.

You will have 3 different pieces of
information:
Ages (ex. Birth -2)
Stages ( toddler, infant, etc.)
Descriptions/examples of large and small
motor skills

Sort the contents and MATCH the

age, stage and gross/fine motors skills.

How did you

do?

INFANT PHYSICAL
DEVELOPMENT Ages birth-2
GROSS MOTOR:

growth occurs first in a child's torso

(trunk of the body).
Rolls from back to side or tummy
Sits alone
Reaches for a parent with arms
Crawls about on the floor
Pulls self to a sitting position
Pulls self up to stand next to a support
(couch)
Stands alone with support
Takes steps alone with support, then
without support
-Walks backward
Crawls up stairs with support

FINE MOTOR:

Reaches for dangling objects or

toys
Grasps object using palm and
fingers
Passes a toy or object between
hands
Puts objects in mouth to explore
Uses a pincer grasp (thumb and
finger) to hold food or object
Grasps and uses toys to play or
keep attention
Reaches for objects, such as a
spoon to feed self

TODDLER PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Ages 2-3
GROSS MOTOR:

FINE MOTOR:

Sits on or peddles a
tricycle with support
Runs with few falls or trips
Walks up stairs while
holding onto something
Jumps over small obstacles

Uses utensils to feed self

Brushes teeth with a
toothbrush with help
Uses basic scissors for
cutting
Holds and uses pencil or
crayon for basic drawing
Snaps, buttons or zips with
help

PRESCHOOL PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

3 years 5 years
GROSS MOTOR:

Runs with energy and

coordination
Catches a ball with some
practice
Throws a ball 5 to 15 feet with
overhand motion
Walks up and down stairs alone
Hops on one foot
Rides a tricycle and steers well

FINE MOTOR:
Builds using blocks stacked
on top of each other
Cuts paper in shapes
Draws with pencil, crayons,
other implements
Turns pages of a book
Pours water from pitcher
to cup

ELEMENTARY AGED PHYSICAL

DEVELOPMENT Ages 5-10
GROSS MOTOR:
Changes clothes without help
Catches a ball bounced to
them
Runs easily and participates in
games of tag, etc.
Rides a bicycle with ability
Kicks a ball with ability
Carries out household

tasks (cleaning room,

making bed, etc.)

FINE MOTOR:
Draws multiple shapes and
figures with various
implements
Strings beads for projects
Uses a comb, toothbrush,
washcloth without support
Prints letters, numbers,
etc.
Cuts shapes clearly, easily

EARLY ADOLESCENCE & ADOLESCENT

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT ages 11 -18
Puberty:

Beginning of adolescence coincides with beginning of puberty & end of

adolescence coincides with beginning of adulthood.
Females typically enter puberty about two years earlier (between 11-14
years of age) than males(between 13-15 years of age).

Rapid gains in height and weight.

Common to grow at a rate of 3-6 inches per year.

Average American child grows from about 53 inches (4 ft. 5 in.) at 10 years of
age to about 66 (5 ft. 6 in.) inches by 18 years (end of growth spurt). ~ 13 inches!
Weight gain results from increased muscle development in boys and body fat in
girls.
The average weight of children increases from about 67 pounds, at 10 years of
age, to about 134 pounds, at 18 years of age. ( + 67 lbs.!)
Female maximum height & weight are reached by 18.
Males reach their peak height and weight after 20 years of age.
T

EARLY ADOLESCENCE & ADOLESCENT

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT ages 11 -18
Development of secondary sex characteristics.
Changing hormonal levels play a role in activating the development of
secondary sex characteristics. These include:
(1) growth of pubic hair, underarm hair & facial hair (males only);
(2)menarche (first menstrual period for girls) or spermarche ( first
ejaculation for boys);
(3) voice deepens due to growth of the male larynx muscles (males)
(4) the increased production of oil, increased sweat gland activity, and
the beginning of acne (both).
(5)Breast & hip growth (females only).

How to Physical Changes in

adolescence affect teenagers?
Not uncommon for teens to sleep longer. Need 9
hours for maximum mood & academic performance.
Teens may be more clumsy because of growth spurts
awkward in early adolescence.
Teenage girls may become overly sensitive about
their weight.
Teens may be concerned because they are not
physically developing at the same rate as their peers.
Teens may feel awkward about demonstrating
affection to the opposite sex parent.
Teens may ask more direct questions about sex.
Due to increase in height, weight & muscle teens may
gravitate toward sports.

The M-O-V-E Formula for Physical

Growth
in
Children
at
all
Stages
The principles of the M-O-V-E formula for assisting children

with physical growth and development are as follows:

Motivation = provide a reason to be active in & out of the
classroom & at hometime together, learning, fun!
Opportunity = to explore and interact physicallypaper,
crayons, clay, balls, bikesspace to play
Variety = different materials and activitiesmany different
interests!
Equipment, encouragement and enthusiasm = something to
climb on, push, pull and challenge their large and small muscles!

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/famsci/fs633w.htm
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/350/350-055/350-055.html#L3

Physical Development
Picture Cube

Trace & cut out cube pattern or use a square box with 6 sides
(tissue, etc.).
Each side will represent 1 stage of a childs physical
development.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Cube Title & name

Infancy - birth-2
Toddler 2-3
Preschool 4-5
Elementary 5-9
Early adolescence / adolescence 10-18

Select & glue pictures from magazines that provide examples

of a childs physical growth & development at each stage.
You will need to label each side of the cube with the stage &
provide examples of at least 2 large/gross motor skills & 2
fine/small motor skills (identify which they are).

Cognitive Development?
Continued brain development. Recent research suggests
that teens' brains are not completely developed until late in
adolescence. Specifically, studies suggest that the
connections between neurons affecting emotional, physical
and mental abilities are incomplete. (Strauch, 2003) This
could explain why some teens seem to be inconsistent in
controlling their emotions, impulses, and judgments.