PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTAGES 1-3

Physical Development

Provides children with the abilities they need to explore and interact with the world around them.

Physical growth: Toddlers are unsteady when first walking Muscles gain strength Children gradually develop coordination Preschoolers are able to run, jump and trot. By

the age of five, most can skip.

Physical Development Chart

(draw chart for your notes)

Proportion

Ages 1-2: Head, chest, and abdomen measure the same

Your turn: How is this different than infants?

Teeth

Healthy Teeth Determined by diet, heredity and care

Provide foods rich in: Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin D

1year olds: 8 Teeth 2-3 year olds: 16-20 Teeth

Note: The complete set of primary teeth is in the mouth from the age of 2 ½ to 3 years of age to 6 to 7 years of age. Around 6-7 years of age, primary teeth start to fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth.

MOTOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Motor Development

Physical growth in the ability of children to use their bodies and physical skills

Process by which a child acquires movement patterns and skills

Genetics, size at birth, body build, nutrition, opportunity, and culture can all influence motor and physical development.

Evaluating Areas of Motor Development Muscle Tone

High tone- movement are jerky or disconnected Low tone- movement may be slow and lack strength

Quality of Movements Are movement smooth or do they jerk their limbs? Do they move slow or fast? Does it take effort for them to move around?

Range of Motion Making movements that span the entire length of the

body Making movements from one side of the body to

the other Throwing a ball Passing an object from one hand to the other

Gross (large) Motor Development Skills

Rolling over Crawling Walking Running Jumping

These skills usually involve using the entire body or several parts of the body at one time.

Large or Gross Motor Skills

Use of back, leg, shoulder, arm muscles

Examples: walking, running, jumping, throwing,

kicking, building, climbing

Fine (small) Motor Skills

Improved dexterity: Skilled use of hands, fingers, wrists, and toes

Examples: Holding a crayon, putting together a puzzle,

stacking cups