Physical and Motor Skills in Childhood

Child development refers to the process through which human beings typically grow and mature

from infancy through adulthood. The different aspects of growth and development that are

measured include physical growth, cognitive growth, and social growth. Child development

focuses on the changes that take place in humans as they mature from birth to about age 17.

Early childhood follows the infancy stage and begins with toddlerhood when the child begins

speaking or taking steps independently. This is followed by middle childhood which begins at

around age seven or eight, approximating primary school age. It ends around puberty, which

typically marks the beginning of adolescence. In this period, children are attending school, thus

developing socially and mentally.

Physical Development: Gross Motor Skills

The term "gross motor" development refers to physical skills that use large body movements,

normally involving the entire body. In the sense used here, gross means "large".

Age 2-3 years

Between ages 2 and 3 years, young children stop "toddling," or using the awkward, wide-legged

robot-like stance that is the hallmark of new walkers. As they develop a smoother gait, they also

develop the ability to run, jump, and hop. Children of this age can participate in throwing and

catching games with larger balls. They can also push themselves around with their feet while

sitting on a riding toy.

Age 3-4 years

Children who are 3 to 4 years old can climb up stairs using a method of bringing both feet

together on each step before proceeding to the next However, young children may still need

some "back-up" assistance to prevent falls in case they become unsteady in this new skill. 3 to 4

year olds can jump and hop higher as their leg muscles grow stronger.

Also at this age (3 to 4 years), children develop better upper body mobility. As a result, their

catching and throwing abilities improve in speed and accuracy. In addition, they can typically hit

a stationary ball from a tee with a bat. As whole body coordination improves, children of this age

can now peddle and steer a tricycle. They can also kick a larger ball placed directly in front of

their bodies.

Age 4-5 years

By ages 4 to 5, children can go up and down the stairs alone in the adult fashion (i.e., taking one

step at a time). Their running continues to smooth out and increase in speed. Children of this age

can also skip and add spin to their throws. They also have more control when riding their

tricycles (or bicycles), and can drive them faster.

Age 5-6 years

During ages 5 to 6, young children continue to refine earlier skills. They're running even faster

and can start to ride bicycles with training wheels for added stability. In addition, they can step

sideways. Children of this age begin mastering new forms of physical play such as the jungle

gym, and begin to use the see-saw, slide, and swing on their own. They often start jumping rope,
skating, hitting balls with bats, and so on. Many children of this age enjoy learning to play

organized sports such as soccer, basketball, t-ball or swimming. In addition, 5 to 6 year olds

often like to participate in physical extracurricular activities such as karate, gymnastics, or dance.

Children continue to refine and improve their gross motor skills through age 7 and beyond.

Age 7-12 years

Physical development in middle childhood is characterized by considerable variations in growth

patterns. These variations may be due to gender, ethnic origin, genetics, hormones, nutrition,

environment, or disease. While children of this age group follow the same basic developmental

patterns, they do not necessarily mature at the same rate. Most girls experience a preadolescent

growth spurt around age 9 or 10, while most boys experience the same growth spurt around age

11 or 12.

Children who do not receive adequate nutrition or medical attention may be at risk for stunted or

delayed growth development. For example, children who live in countries where malnutrition is

not a problem tend to be taller than children who live in countries where malnutrition is a

problem. Girls and boys grow about 2 to 3 inches and gain about 7 pounds per year until puberty.

Skeletal bones and muscles broaden and lengthen, which may cause children (and adolescents) to

experience growing pains.

Physical Development: Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are necessary to engage in smaller, more precise movements, normally using

the hands and fingers. Fine motor skills are different than gross motor skills which require less

precision to perform.

Ages 2 to 3 years

Children can create things with their hands. They can build towers out of blocks, mold clay into

rough shapes, and scribble with a crayon or pen. Children of this age can also insert objects into

matching spaces, such as placing round pegs into round holes. 2 to 3 year-olds often begin

showing a preference for using one hand more often than the other, which is the beginning of

becoming left or right-handed.

Ages 3 to 4 years

Before they enter school, most children will gain the ability to completely dress and undress

themselves (even though they may take a long time to finish the task). At this age, children can

also begin using scissors to cut paper.

3 to 4 year- olds continue to refine their eating skills and can use utensils like forks and spoons.

Young children at this age can also use larger writing instruments, like fat crayons, in a writing

hold rather than just grasping them with their fist. They can also use a twisting motion with their

hands, useful for opening door knobs or twisting lids off containers.
Ages 4 to 5 years

Children continue to refine fine motor skills and build upon earlier skills. For instance, they can

now button and unbutton their clothes by themselves. Their artistic skills improve, and they can

draw simple stick figures and copy shapes such as circles, squares, and large letters. Drawing

more complex shapes, however, may take longer.

Ages 5-6 years

Begin to show the skills necessary for starting or succeeding in school, such as printing letters

and numbers and creating shapes such as triangles. They are able to use paints, pencils and

crayons with better control. Children can also complete other self-care tasks beyond dressing and

undressing, such as brushing their teeth and combing their hair. Children of this age can also

independently feed themselves without an adult's immediate supervision or help.

Age 7-12 years

As children refine their motor skills, they are able to help themselves by completing daily

activities independently. Fine motor skills begin to become more refined during middle

childhood. Activities involving playing board games, putting together puzzles and playing

musical instruments challenge fine motor skills, while at the same time take into account the

child's developmental need to master new tasks. Encouraging children to engage in activities that

require fine motor skills improves their dexterity as well as allows them to engage in new

individual and group games.

Approximate Age Gross Motor Skills Fine Motor Skills
Upto 2 years  Crawls skillfully and quickly  Scribbling
 Stands alone with feet spread  Can turn pages
apart, legs stiffened, and arms  Turns knobs
extended for support  Can build tower with blocks
 Gets to feet unaided
 Enjoys pushing or pulling toys
while walking

2-3 years  Can momentarily balance on one
foot
 Can kick big ball-shaped objects
 Needs minimal assistance eating
 Jumps on the spot
 Pedals a small tricycle
3-4 years  Runs around obstacles
 Walks backwards
 Can dance to music
 Rides a tricycle
 Can dress and undress self with
little assistance
 Copies a circle and a cross
 Can turn single pages
 Can string beads
 Can snip paper with a scissor
 Can dress and undress by
themselves
 Use forks and spoons to eat
 Can twist the lid of a container
and open it

4-6 years  Enjoys vigorous running,  Can trace objects

jumping, climbing, and throwing  Can write words without help
etc.  Can draw fine and detailed
 Can tie laces pictures
 Catches and throws ball
efficiently
 Can skip
7 -12 years  Manipulates zippers and buttons  Gains greater control over large
on clothes. and fine motor skills; movements
 Can balance on one foot for a are more precise and deliberate
long time  Can fold, cut and paste paper
 Needs no assistance for eating  Can build detailed craft items
with paper