Physical Development

Physical development are systematic changes of the body and brain and age-related changes in motor skills and health behaviors.  Certain parts of the body grow at distinct time periods.  Yet each child develops at their own rate while still reaching certain developmental milestones at distinct times.

Infancy (Birth-Age 2)
This period consists of rapid growth and development.  There is also rapid change in proportions of body parts.  Their reflexes begin to emerge, as early as birth.  As soon as they are born their first reflex begins which is breathing.  They also increase their ability to move around, first squirming.  Then they begin to roll, crawl, creep or scoot.  Finally they begin walking.  Each infant is different in how they begin to move around.  They find what best works for them.  they also increase their ability to coordinate the small muscles of their hands and eyes.  Finally they build their self-help skills with feeding, dressing, and toileting.



Early Childhood (2-6 Years)
Their arms and legs begin lengthening and begin taking on more mature proportions.  They continue to acquire more gross motor skills like running, jumping, climbing and swinging.  They also build on their fine motor skills by using scissors and a functional pencil grip.  They also tend to nap less, including the elimination of an afternoon nap.



Middle Childhood (6-10 Years)
Children continue to grow in this age level both in height and weight.  They begin to lose their primary teeth and are replaced with their permanent teeth.  They work to refine their gross motor skills and use them for more organized play like sports or games.  Their fine motor skills improve and are able to write and draw with more ease.


Early Adolescence (10-14 Years)
Again at this age level, children have periods of rapid growth.  They also begin to transition through puberty.  With that, they become aware of the physical changes of their bodies and become self-conscious of this.  Puberty can also cause risk taking due to new brain circuits.  The onset of puberty is associated with increased aggression.


Late Adolescence (14-18 Years)
Girls, at about age 15, by now have completed their growth spurt and have reached their mature height.  Boys will reach this at about age 17 but will have ongoing growth in stature.  The children will have ravenous appetites.  Because most children by now have reached their sexual maturity, they have an increase in sexual activity.  Some serious risky behaviors may also occur, like drinking alcohol.