Physical Development of Children and Young People

Young children develop rapidly in several developmental areas, including language, cognitive, social and physical. Physical development encompasses growth and motor skill abilities. Most children develop along a general time frame, but variations in physical development occur from child to child. Pediatricians typically monitor physical development at well-child visits.

Significance

• Physical development allows children to interact with and explore the world around them. Physical development includes increases in muscular strength and coordination. Children develop both gross motor and fine motor skills as they grow. Gross motor skills include those skills that use large muscle groups, such as running and jumping. Fine motor skills include those skills that use small muscle groups, such writing with a pencil and tying shoelaces.

Features

• At approximately three years of age, physical features begin to change. Children begin develop more muscle tone at this point and the percentage of body fat decreases as well. According to Merck, height and weight growth rates in preschool and elementary school typically remain steady. A major growth spurt usually occurs sometime in early adolescence. Merck suggests that doubling a child's height at two years of age may predict a child's adult height.

Time Frame

• By two years of age, children should be able to open a door, build towers with blocks, kick a ball and run. By three years of age, children should be able to maintain balance, walk upstairs, peddle a tricycle and control bladder and bowel functions during the day. Four-year-old children be able to throw balls overhand, hop on one food and cut with scissors. Five-year-old children should be able to skip, hop, jump, stand on one foot with good balance, tie shoelaces, use tools and write with a pencil.

Considerations

• Physical development may be affected by many factors, such as body build, body composition, nutrition, home environment, genetics, ethnicity and temperament. All children will develop at different rates. Some will reach milestones early, while others may reach them late.

Warning

• Caregivers should consult a physician if a physical developmental delay seems apparent. Physical delays may occur as the result of premature birth or as a symptom of conditions, such Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy or lead poisoning. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can improve physical development.