Physical Developemnt

Principles of Physical Development

  As humans, our body goes through countless physical changes. We first learn to crawl, walk, run and play. Different parts of the body mature at their own rates. Genes tell certain parts of the body to grow at a different time period. During childhood and adolescence stage, children grow taller and heavier as they develop, and the characteristics and relative proportions of their body parts change as well. For example, in the early developing stage, the head is proportion closer to adult size than are torsos. In the upper limbs, the hands approach adult size sooner than the forearm; the forearm approaches adult size sooner than the upper arm does. Equally, the lower limbs such as the limbs are advanced than the calf, which is more advanced than the thigh.

Physical Development is characterized by both differentiation and integration. Differentiation is a gradual transition from a general possibility to specialized functioning over the course of development. Integration is an increased coordination of body parts over the course of development. These two occur simultaneously and interactively. As the cells and parts of the body differentiate, they must also work together. These coordinated efforts are known as integration.

Physical Development During Childhood

Infancy (Birth-Age 2): During birth before the umbilical cord is cut, the first reflex: breathing begins. Providing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Other reflexes of the infant occur such as grasping small objects placed in hands, response to loud noises by flaring out arms and legs. As infants get older motor skills comes to play as their physical list. Infants learn to head up their head, roll over, reach for objects, sit, crawl and walk.

    Early Childhood (Ages 2-6):  Gross motor skills and Fine motor skills are the highlights of this stage. Gross motor skills are running, hopping, tumbling, climbing and swinging. Fine motor skills are drawing, writing, cutting with scissors and manipulating small objects.  During this year girls sometimes find fine motor activities easier than boys. Even though girls do have trouble with fine motor skills boys find it easy and fun to write, draw and cut.  

Middle Childhood (Age 6- 10): At this stage children growth beings to slowly and steadily gain in height and weight. Their bodies grow larger, body parts change less than in infancy or early childhood. Lost of their primary teeth to replace of permanent teeth. Girls mature more quickly than boys. They become more sensitive about their physical appearance.