1. Physical Development Involves the growth and change in a person’s body and bodily functions. Physical development involves both physiological and motor development. 1

2. Motor Skills Are skills which enable us to move and control our bodies. They can be divided into gross (large) and fine (small) motor skills. Both gross and fine motor skills require practise and opportunity to develop muscle strength, balance and co-ordination. 2

3. Gross Motor Skills Gross motor skills involve co-ordination of the large muscles. For example: crawling, walking, climbing, etc. 3 http://www.physiotherapyfoundation.ca/i mages/stock_pix/Baby-Boy-walking.jpg

4. Fine Motor Skills Fine motor skills involve co-ordination of the small muscles (manipulation). For example: grasping, turning knobs, drawing, etc. 4 http://goodtoknow.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/111%7C000001fdb%7C794c_orh100000w614_toddler-drawing.jpg

5. Physical changes during Infancy The infant’s growth: A period of rapid growth Weight usually doubles by 6 months and is three times birth weight by 12 months Length and height changes are equally rapid Muscles, bones and nerve tissues mature (See: Kearns, 2010 Birth to big school pages 80 – 98) 5

6. Fostering Physical Skills of Infants 6 http://bornangels.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/baby- crawling-300x183.jpg http://www.elc.udel.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/04/infant-300x225.jpg

7. Fostering Physical Skills of Infants Educators need to: - Provide a balanced, nutritious diet - Follow infant’s lead in exploring the physical environment - Offer appropriate encouragement - Provide a clean, safe and stimulating environment - Provide variety - Allow for repetition and mastery - Include music to stimulate movement - Monitor each child for a range of physical skills and note frustrations etc. 7

8. Gross Motor Development During Toddlerhood http://sheldonbrown.com/images/9305N14R25irst%20Bike.jpg 8

9. Gross Motor Development During Toddlerhood The Toddler: Walks well with feet slightly apart Stops for obstacles Walks backwards Displays much energy Show more flexibility at knees and ankles Displays better balance Now runs Walks upstairs (two feet per step) By 30-36 months walks downstairs Jumps off bottom step, one foot leading the other Kicks a large stationary ball Pushes a tricycle along with feet 9 http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page- main/ehow/images/a06/6r/k7/develop- fine-gross-motor-skills-800x800.jpg

10. Supporting Toddler’s Gross Motor Skills Educators need to provide a range of play equipment: - Wooden tricycles - Trolleys - Stepping stones - Large balls - Bean bags - Small tunnels - Large cardboard boxes 10 http://kennedymontessori.com/resources/_wsb_400x242_Tod dler+outside.JPG

11. Fine Motor Development During Toddlerhood http://img.ehowcdn.co.uk/article-new/ehow/images/a08/7a/oc/ideas-sand-pit-children-800x800.jpg 11

12. Fine Motor Development During Toddlerhood The Toddler: By 18 months uses a spoon well Builds with stacking blocks Pushes in large puzzle pieces Strings large beads with a stiff threader Uses two hands to cut with scissors Grasps a pencil between thumb and forefinger (pincer grip) Hammers large knobs and wooden pegs and turn knobs Undresses well though finds dressing more difficult 12

13. Supporting Toddler’s Fine Motor Skills Educators need to provide or encourage: Spoon and cup play in both dramatic play and in the sandpit Appropriate sized buttons and zippers on clothing Puzzles with large pieces Large beads for threading Thick paint brushes Nesting cups Water play 13 http://www.toddler-activities-at- home.com/image-files/toddler-blocks.jpg

14. Gross Motor Development during the Preschool Years (See Kearns 2010 handout – pages 18-24 14 http://www.playlsi.com/Explore-Products/Product-Lines/Outdoor-Playsystems/PlayShaper/PS- Climbers/ABC-Climber/PublishingImages/ABCCLimber_360.jpg?wax-srv=iabNMY-ydi$fq9Ls1vI0RA71

15. Fine Motor Development during the Preschool Years See Kearns 2010 pages 18-24 15 http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=preschoolers+self+help+skills&start=84&hl=en&safe=active&gbv=2&biw=1152&bih=658&tbm=isch&tbnid=6je0AXQNOxwQJM:&imgre furl=http://

16. Motor Development During Middle Childhood Children develop, refine and find new ways to extend basic skills gained in early childhood (running, balancing, hopping, drawing) Skill development can be observed through ball play, bike riding, skipping, dancing, writing etc. There are a wide range of individual differences related to practice and inherited characteristics Boys tend to be stronger than girls but girls display more muscular flexibility 16 http://www.riverchaseumc.org/clientimages/34137 /recreation_ministry/rebounders.jpg