Physical development:
Four principles
Growth Development
- continuous - holistic
- periods of rapid growth - same sequence different rates
(infancy and adolescence) - head to toe
- vary between boys and girls - inside to outside
- rates vary in different parts
Developmental norms – description of an average set of expectations with
respect to a young child’s development. For example, by the age of 12
months a child has the ability to stand alone
Milestone – an ability achieved by most children by a certain age. It
can involve physical, social, emotional, cognitive and communication
skills
Physical development during infancy
Gross motor skills Fine motor skills
- holding head up - building tower
- walking - holding pen
- sitting - waving
- crawling - picking up toys
Age Gross motor skills Fine motor skills
Newborn Reflexes like grasp Hold thumb tucked
under fingers
One month Lifts chin Open hands to grasp
Three months Lifts head from chest Move objects from hand
lying
Six months Rolling over Hold small object
Nine months Crawling Places toy
Twelve months Stands alone Builds tower with
blocks
Eighteen months Climbs on furniture Turns a page
Two years Throws a ball Use spoon and fork
Two and a half years Kicks a ball
Fine motor skills are actions that require the use of smaller muscles in
the hands, fingers and toes, meaning infants to pick things up like
crayons.
Gross motor skills are movements that involve using large muscles in the
body, like playing ‘tag’ involving running.
Four principles
Growth Development
- continuous - holistic
- periods of rapid growth - same sequence different rates
(infancy and adolescence) - head to toe
- vary between boys and girls - inside to outside
- rates vary in different parts
Developmental norms – description of an average set of expectations with
respect to a young child’s development. For example, by the age of 12
months a child has the ability to stand alone
Milestone – an ability achieved by most children by a certain age. It
can involve physical, social, emotional, cognitive and communication
skills
Physical development during infancy
Gross motor skills Fine motor skills
- holding head up - building tower
- walking - holding pen
- sitting - waving
- crawling - picking up toys
Age Gross motor skills Fine motor skills
Newborn Reflexes like grasp Hold thumb tucked
under fingers
One month Lifts chin Open hands to grasp
Three months Lifts head from chest Move objects from hand
lying
Six months Rolling over Hold small object
Nine months Crawling Places toy
Twelve months Stands alone Builds tower with
blocks
Eighteen months Climbs on furniture Turns a page
Two years Throws a ball Use spoon and fork
Two and a half years Kicks a ball
Fine motor skills are actions that require the use of smaller muscles in
the hands, fingers and toes, meaning infants to pick things up like
crayons.
Gross motor skills are movements that involve using large muscles in the
body, like playing ‘tag’ involving running.
