A 15-Month-Old's Physical Development

Physical development involves a child's ability to move his body through space with large muscles, move his smaller muscles while stationary and move other objects using both large and small muscles together. Developmental milestones exist, set by government and health agencies, to be used as a tool in judging the appropriateness of child development. The guidelines suggest a norm, but all children develop differently, and minor differentiation from these guidelines normally does not signify a problem. A parent should always check with a child's physician if he suspects a delay in any developmental area.

Definition

• Physical development includes more than just the height and weight charts filled out at a child's regularly scheduled doctor's appointment. A 15-month-old has developed skills since birth in the areas of gross motor skills, coordination and balance, as well as fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Since physical development of children occurs in general patterns of gross to fine motor, upper to lower body, and core to outer limb muscles, a 15-month-old has already mastered several gross motor, upper body and core developmental skills such as control of his head and trunk.

Previous Mastery

• By 15 months, a child should stand and walk successfully. Previous mastery of head control, rolling, sitting up, reaching out with arms, picking up large objects and crawling should have occurred. Fine motor skills a 15-month-old should have mastered include grasping smaller toys and spoons with thumb and finger and clapping hands.

Developing Mastery

• At 15 months, a child begins to climb up and down stairs, usually by first scooting on her bottom or in a crawling stance. Crawling up and down from chairs, sofas and any other object possible becomes a major attraction, and mastery follows quickly. Fine motor skill begin to develop more rapidly as children this age begin to throw small objects, turn pages in books and build towers with blocks or other objects. When given a crayon, though they cannot yet hold it correctly, they can grasp and scribble with it. At this age, children become fascinated with picking up and manipulating small objects, which assists in their mastery of finger fine motor skills.

Encouraging Development

• Encourage physical development with a 15-month-old so that gross and fine motor skills as well as coordination continue to develop. Allow her to scribble with crayons and provide plenty of books for practice turning pages. Roll a ball back and forth with him to develop coordination. Children this age love to mimic adult behavior, so child-size brooms, rakes or rags they can help to do chores with provide a suitable activity to assist in physical development.

Safety

• Find a balance between concern for safety and allowing them to explore. Through climbing up the stairs, children this age learn to walk up the stairs; however, adults must be nearby to avoid accidents without inhibiting their exploration of this skill. Chairs they may climb on must not be left near harmful objects such as stoves, knives or medicines. Cover all outlets and remove any harmful objects so that children this age can explore and use all muscles to develop physically without risk of injury. Resort to a playpen as the last resort or for small periods only. Children must practice and use their muscles in order to continue to develop the next physical milestones.