Physical Development in Early Childhood Dr. Linda Kight Winter

Age 5 walk stairs climb balance throw a ball ride bike

Age 2 struggle to walk without falling over

Age 3-5 reach many milestones with increasing coordination

Developmental Milestones Tasks most children can perform at certain ages. Genetics and experience play a role in the ages on the milestones.

Physical Growth in EC Leads away from unsteadiness of childhood center of gravity is high in toddlers

Cephalocaudal (head to toe) and Proximodistal (near to far) growth

Physical Growth in EC torso grows longer, body lengthens muscles get stronger center of gravity shifts closer to belly button

Gross Motor Skills skills like running, jumping, climbing, and throwing, that require the use of large muscle groups in the arms and legs, as well as strength and stamina

Developed through… Running, walking, galloping, tiptoeing Throwing, catching Climbing, jumping, rock walls Balancing and Spinning

Activities that foster Gross Motor Development Follow the leader Simon Says Obstacle Courses Relay Races

Activities that foster Gross Motor Development Dancing Running Stepping Stones Bean Bags Balanced on Head Pretend to be Cars, Planes etc.

Rough and Tumble Play Not violent Builds Camaraderie Relieve Tension Uses several muscle groups at once

End of preschool/ Beginning of Kindergarten Start, stop, and change directions while running Walk up and down stairs while alternating feet Balance while walking on a beam Hop on one foot ten or more times Use a swing independently

Fine Motor Development The coordination of small muscle groups in the arms, hands, and fingers used to complete tasks like drawing, zipping, snipping, tying, and molding with clay

Activities that foster fine motor development Using toys with zippers, buttons, and buckles Stringing pasta on yarn Carving designs into clay Cutting pictures from magazines Singing songs involving finger play (“Itsy Bitsy Spider”)

Lowenfeld’s Stages of Artistic Development Realism Schematic Pre-Schematic Scribbling

15 months to 4 years large zigzagging lines and non- descript shapes about which they will tell stories

Preschematic Ages 3-7 faces, protruding arms and legs, houses, repetitive practice, objects, people floating in space

5 year old

Schematic Ages 6-10 people attached to ground Closer proportion to real world blue sky attached to top of page

Realism Ages 9-11 Details, style, depth and perception appear

Fine Motor Milestones by the end of preschool Hold a pencil Write letters Draw pictures Cut with scissors String beads Button large buttons Zip a zipper Eat with fork and spoon

Other factors affecting physical development Prenatal and medical care Nutrition Sleep Environment Genetics Disabilities Poverty

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