PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Step into the world of early childhood development and witness the magic unfold as children master essential motor skills crucial for their growth. From learning to run, jump, and skip, to mastering the art of drawing and using scissors, this journey unveils the remarkable progress made by little ones from infancy to around age six. Discover how these activities shape both gross and fine motor skills, paving the way for physical competence and confidence. Join us as we explore the milestones, from the improved coordination in running by two-year-olds to the triumphant pedaling of a tricycle by three-year-olds. Along the way, marvel at the remarkable strides made in motor skill development, and gain insights into the crucial role of play activities in nurturing a child’s physical abilities.

Get ready to be captivated by the fascinating journey of growth and discovery in early childhood development.

Motor skills can be categorized into two main groups: gross motor and fine motor. Both work together to help you perform basic everyday functions that you often take for granted.

Physical development in early childhood across different age groups.

Infancy (0-12 months):

• Infants rapidly develop motor skills, starting with reflexes like sucking and rooting, then progressing to rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking.
• By around 6 months, most infants can sit without support, grasp objects, and may begin to pull themselves up to stand.
• Fine motor skills develop, allowing them to grasp small objects between their fingers and thumbs.
• Growth is rapid, with infants typically doubling their birth weight by 5-6 months and tripling it by their first birthday.

Birth to 6 Months:

Gross Motor:

• New-borns begin to lift their chin and hold their head upright.
• They gradually lift their torso and raise their upper body.
• Rolling back and forth starts to develop.
• By around six months, they can sit independently and move all their limbs.

Fine Motor:

• Early on, infants develop a strong grip.
• They become aware of their hands and feet, moving each finger and toe independently.
• Progress from simply holding a toy to shaking and pulling on toys.
• Start holding bottles and other objects

7 – 12 Months:

Gross Motor:

• Children start supporting their weight more.
• They attempt to crawl and begin to stand and walk with assistance.
• Towards the end of this stage, they can stand independently.

Fine Motor:

• Precise picking up of objects using the index finger and thumb.
• Feeding themselves and picking up objects independently.
• Learning to drop one toy to pick up another while playing.

Toddlerhood (1-3 years):

• Toddlers become more mobile and independent, refining their gross motor skills such as walking, running, climbing, and jumping.
• They also develop better balance and coordination, allowing for more controlled movements and activities like kicking a ball or riding a tricycle.
• Fine motor skills continue to improve, enabling tasks like stacking blocks, scribbling with crayons, and feeding themselves with utensils.
• Language development accelerates, with toddlers beginning to form words and simple sentences, enhancing their ability to express needs and desires.

1 year:

Gross motor:

• They take their first steps and begin playing sport-like games.
• By nearing two years old, they walk independently and even backwards.

Fine motor:

• They grab cups to drink and develop skills like pointing, building towers, scribbling, turning book pages, and eating on their own.

2 years:

Gross motor:

• Children can run, climb, shake their heads, and swing their limbs.
• They start dancing, rolling, balancing, and jumping, enjoying playground activities.

Fine motor:

• They enjoy building towers, opening doors, undressing, playing with water and sand, and learning to paint.

3 years:

Gross motor:

• They jump from steps, balance on one leg, walk upstairs with one foot at a time, and throw a ball without falling over.

Fine motor:

• They draw lines and circles, cut and fold paper, dress dolls, button clothes, make beds, and set the table.

TOILET TRAINING

1. Timing:
   • Toilet training typically occurs during the first two years of early childhood, between 24 and 36 months.
   • While some children show interest by age 2, others may not be ready until later months.
   • The average age for girls to be toilet trained is 29 months and for boys, it’s 31 months. About 98% of children are trained by 36 months (Boyse & Fitzgerald, 2010).
2. Readiness:
   • The child’s age is less important than their physical and emotional readiness for toilet training.
   • Starting too early might prolong the training process.
   • If a child resists training or isn’t successful after a few weeks, it’s best to take a break and try again later.
3. Milestones:
   • Most children master daytime bladder control first, typically within two to three months of consistent toilet training.
   • Nap and nighttime training may take months or even years.
4. Signs of Readiness:
   • Parents can assess readiness by observing if the child:
     • Shows interest in the potty chair, toilet, or wearing underwear.
     • Understands and follows basic directions.
     • Complains about wet or dirty diapers.
     • Communicates the need to go using words, facial expressions, or posture.
     • Stays dry for periods of two hours or longer during the day.
     • Can pull down and pull up pants independently.
     • Can sit on and rise from a potty chair.
5. Elimination Disorders:
   • Some children may experience elimination disorders like enuresis (repeated voiding of urine into bed or clothes) or encopresis (repeated passage of feces into inappropriate places).
   • Enuresis prevalence: 5%-10% for 5-year-olds, 3%-5% for 10-year-olds, and approximately 1% for those 15 years or older.
   • Encopresis is more common in males than females, with around 1% prevalence among 5-year-olds (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Preschool (3-5 years):

• Physical development becomes more refined, with preschoolers mastering more complex movements like skipping, hopping on one foot, and catching a ball.
• They gain greater control over fine motor skills, leading to improved handwriting, drawing more recognizable figures, and completing puzzles with smaller pieces.
• Preschoolers exhibit increased stamina and endurance, allowing for longer periods of physical activity and play.
• Social interaction becomes more important, leading to cooperative play and organized physical activities like group games and sports.

In summary, physical development in early childhood progresses rapidly, with infants focusing on basic motor skills, toddlers refining their movements and gaining independence, and preschoolers mastering more complex physical tasks while also engaging in more social and cooperative activities.

4 years:

Gross motor:

• Children run quickly, ride tricycles, skip, hop, and jump using one leg.
• They are very active during this time.

Fine motor:

• They excel at folding paper with examples, threading beads, cutting, drawing, painting, and molding clay.

5 years:

Gross motor:

• Children start playing soccer, showing improved control of their bodies in sports and physical activities.
• They demonstrate better control over larger muscles and enjoy climbing.

Fine motor:

• Drawing and copying objects improve, with more complex shapes appearing in their artwork.
• They can hold pencils better and cut with more precision.

6 years:

Gross motor:

• Children start jumping rope and become more adventurous in activities like tumbling, rolling, skipping, and running.
• They enjoy running up stairs without assistance.

Fine motor:

• Drawing becomes more detailed, including houses with windows and doors.
• They enjoy tearing paper neatly and their writing and letter formation improve.

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OVERALL PHYSICAL GROWTH

• Children aged 2-6 usually grow about 3 inches taller and gain 4 to 5 pounds in weight each year.
• Growth occurs in spurts, like during infancy.
• At two years old, the average weight is between 23 and 28 pounds, and height is 33 to 35 inches. By age 6, the weight is between 40 and 50 pounds, with a height of about 44 to 47 inches.
• Children at 3 still have characteristics like big heads, bellies, and short limbs, but by 6, their bodies resemble adults more.
• Appetite might decrease between ages 2 and 6, surprising parents and possibly leading to poor eating habits.
• Children between ages 2 and 3 need 1,000 to 1,400 calories, while those between ages 4 and 8 require 1,200 to 2,000 calories.

CONCLUSION

Childhood is a time of incredible physical development. From learning to walk and run to mastering skills like drawing and writing, children grow stronger and more coordinated through play and exploration. Understanding and supporting these milestones are vital for their well-being and future health. Childhood is a time of wonder, growth, and discovery, shaping the individuals they will become.

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