Physical Development
The unit concludes with
exercises prompting observations and discussions about children’s physical
development and how to create environments that best support their growth.
1. Understanding Physical Development
Height and Weight: By
age five, children usually double their birth height and increase their weight
about fivefold. Growth spurts happen at different ages and intensities; for
example, girls generally experience a rapid growth spurt from ages 10 to 14,
while boys experience theirs from ages 12 to 14. Environmental factors, like
nutrition and family lifestyle, impact growth, but heredity also plays a key
role, particularly in height.
Physical Proportions: As
children grow, their body proportions shift significantly. For example, infants
have large heads relative to their bodies, but this ratio evens out by
adolescence. This progression—from a chubbier, shorter body in infancy to a
more slender, elongated form in childhood—is marked by changes like elongation
of limbs and a broadening of shoulders in boys or hips in girls.
Bones: Early
in life, bones are flexible and composed mainly of cartilage, which gradually
hardens in a process called ossification. This hardening is crucial as it
supports more advanced motor activities. However, the flexibility of bones in
younger children makes them vulnerable to deformities from factors like poor
posture or tight clothing. Boys’ and girls' skeletal development timelines
differ slightly, with girls generally maturing faster in bone development.
Muscles and Fat: Fat
tissue develops rapidly in early childhood, giving young children a “chubby”
appearance. Muscle tissue develops more in adolescence, contributing to the
leaner look in older children. This process is essential for organ function and
motor skills, as muscles coordinate body movements and improve with practice
and growth.
Teeth: Teeth
begin forming before birth, and by around six months to a year, “milk teeth” emerge.
By age 12, most children have lost these baby teeth and gained their permanent
ones. These changes often come with discomfort or dental care needs, making
good nutrition and dental hygiene essential for sound teeth development.
2. Motor Development
Reflexes: Newborns
are born with reflexes that aid survival, such as the grasp reflex (holding
objects placed in their palms) and the rooting reflex (turning their head
towards a touch on the cheek). Over time, these reflexes either disappear or
develop into more voluntary movements, helping children gain more control over
their bodies.
Development of Motor
Abilities and Skills: Large Muscle Activities: Gross motor
skills, such as walking, running, and jumping, are some of the first skills
developed as children gain control over large muscles. By age five or six, most
children can balance, jump, and coordinate their bodies well.
Fine Muscle Activities:
Fine motor skills, involving smaller muscles in the hands and fingers, develop
later. By age six, children can manage tasks like writing, crafting, or using
scissors. These skills continue to refine through practice and opportunities,
with significant variation from child to child.
The Development of
Prehension: Prehension, the ability to grasp objects
between the thumb and forefinger, emerges around 8-9 months. This ability is a
foundational skill for fine motor tasks such as holding pencils, writing, and
manipulating small objects.
Handedness: By
age two, most children begin to show a preference for one hand over the other.
Forcing children to switch their dominant hand can lead to challenges such as
stuttering or motor coordination issues. Handedness seems to be influenced by
both heredity and social factors.
3. Physical and Motor Development and Personality
Children’s physical
abilities and body image affect their self-esteem and social dynamics. A child
who is physically adept may be well-liked by peers and experience positive
self-esteem, whereas those who are physically different or have lower motor skills
might feel isolated or self-conscious. Thus, teachers and caregivers should
encourage all children to participate in physical and skill-based activities to
support confidence and social integration.
4. Factors Affecting Physical and Motor Development
Biological and
Environmental Factors: Genetics play a fundamental role,
determining traits like height and physical potential. However, environmental
factors—such as access to nutritious food, health care, and opportunities for
physical activity—can profoundly affect a child’s growth.
Readiness for Skill
Development: Motor development is tied to a child’s
maturity level. For instance, children can balance better only when muscles and
bones are adequately developed. Rushing children to perform tasks before they
are ready can lead to frustration rather than progress.
5. Supporting Optimal Development
Teachers, caregivers, and
parents can foster a child’s development by providing opportunities for
physical activity, ensuring a balanced diet, and encouraging practice in both
large and fine motor tasks. Avoiding gender stereotypes in physical activities
(like favoring boys for sports or girls for crafts) is also important for
balanced development.
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
By the age of 5, a child is typically:
a) Three times their birth
height
b) Four times their birth height
c) Twice their birth height
d) The same height as at birth
Answer: c) Twice their birth
height
2.
Growth rate in children between ages 6 and 10
is:
a) Faster than between ages 2
and 6
b) Slower than the first two
years
c) The same as adolescence
d) Similar to birth to age 2
Answer: b) Slower than the first
two years
3.
Heredity affects a child’s:
a) Weight only
b) Height only
c) Height and weight
d) Neither height nor weight
Answer: b) Height only
4.
The average height for girls at age 10 is:
a) 123.7 cm
b) 128.4 cm
c) 133.6 cm
d) 138.3 cm
Answer: b) 128.4 cm
5.
Which factor does not directly affect physical
growth?
a) Nutrition
b) Family surroundings
c) Genetics
d) School subject preference
Answer: d) School subject
preference
6.
In infancy, the head constitutes approximately
what fraction of total body length?
a) 1/8
b) 1/4
c) 1/3
d) 1/2
Answer: b) 1/4
7.
By adolescence, body proportions tend to:
a) Remain as in early childhood
b) Become chubbier
c) Become more adult-like
d) Show no significant changes
Answer: c) Become more
adult-like
8.
A child’s legs grow to about half their body
length by:
a) Age 3
b) Age 6
c) Age 8
d) Age 12
Answer: b) Age 6
9.
The body part that reaches its mature size first
is typically:
a) Legs
b) Arms
c) Nose
d) Eyes
Answer: d) Eyes
10.
At birth, the baby’s head is relatively:
a) Large in proportion to the
body
b) Small in proportion to the
body
c) Similar to an adult’s
d) Equal to body length
Answer: a) Large in proportion
to the body
11.
The process of bones becoming hard and strong is
called:
a) Calcification
b) Hardening
c) Ossification
d) Maturation
Answer: c) Ossification
12.
At birth, a child has approximately:
a) 270 bones
b) 350 bones
c) 206 bones
d) 300 bones
Answer: a) 270 bones
13.
By 6 years of age, girls are typically how many
years ahead of boys in bone development?
a) 0.5 years
b) 1 year
c) 1.5 years
d) 2 years
Answer: b) 1 year
14.
Poor posture in childhood can lead to:
a) Temporary pain
b) Permanent bone deformities
c) No consequences
d) Delayed walking
Answer: b) Permanent bone
deformities
15.
Ossification begins:
a) At puberty
b) After birth
c) In early infancy
d) In the adolescent stage
Answer: c) In early infancy
16.
Weight gain in early childhood is mainly due to:
a)
Muscle development
b)
Fat accumulation
c)
Increased height
d)
Bone density
Answer: b) Fat
accumulation
17.
The rapid increase in muscle tissue occurs
primarily during:
a)
Infancy
b)
Early childhood
c)
Adolescence
d)
Adulthood
Answer: c) Adolescence
18.
Large muscle development allows children to:
a)
Perform precise tasks
b)
Maintain balance
c)
Engage in gross motor skills
d)
Improve flexibility
Answer: c) Engage in gross motor skills
19.
Developing muscles are vulnerable to:
a)
Muscle cramps
b)
Developmental delays
c)
Fatigue and strain
d)
None of these
Answer: c) Fatigue and strain
20.
Diet and exercise primarily enhance:
a)
Fat tissue
b)
Muscle development
c)
Height only
d)
Only fat
Answer: b) Muscle development
21.
Permanent teeth start to appear around:
a)
Age 5
b)
Age 7
c)
Age 9
d)
Age 13
Answer: b) Age 7
22.
Wisdom teeth generally appear between:
a)
10 and 15 years
b)
17 and 25 years
c)
20 and 30 years
d)
13 and 19 years
Answer: b) 17 and 25 years
23.
The first set of teeth, known as milk teeth,
totals:
a)
28
b)
20
c)
16
d)
32
Answer: b) 20
24.
Dental health is best supported by:
a)
Just vitamins
b)
Regular cleaning only
c)
Balanced diet, vitamins, and fluoride
d)
Soft foods only
Answer: c) Balanced diet, vitamins, and
fluoride
25.
A child usually has how many teeth by age 13?
a)
24
b)
20
c)
32
d)
28
Answer: d) 28
26.
Walking unassisted usually begins around:
a)
6 months
b)
1 year
c)
2 years
d)
3 years
Answer: b) 1 year
27.
Fine motor skills are primarily developed
between:
a)
2 to 3 years
b)
4 to 6 years
c)
6 to 10 years
d)
10 to 15 years
Answer: c) 6 to 10 years
28.
Large muscle activities in early childhood
include:
a)
Reading
b)
Drawing
c)
Jumping
d)
Threading a needle
Answer: c) Jumping
29.
Eye-hand coordination improves notably by:
a)
1 year
b)
5 years
c)
7 years
d)
10 years
Answer: b) 5 years
30.
The term for the ability to grasp with thumb and
forefinger is:
a)
Fine motor skill
b)
Handedness
c)
Dexterity
d)
Prehension
Answer: d) Prehension
31.
The ability to grasp small objects using the
thumb and forefinger is called:
a)
Dexterity
b)
Fine motor control
c)
Prehension
d)
Handedness
Answer: c) Prehension
32.
Children typically develop prehension, or the
ability to grasp objects with precision, by:
a)
6 months
b)
8-9 months
c)
12 months
d)
18 months
Answer: b) 8-9 months
33.
Before developing prehension, an infant
primarily grasps objects:
a)
Using all fingers
b)
With a tight fist
c)
Using the entire hand
d)
Using only the thumb
Answer: c) Using the entire hand
34.
The development of prehension allows children
to:
a)
Jump and climb
b)
Ride a bicycle
c)
Grasp small objects with precision
d)
Speak fluently
Answer: c) Grasp small objects with
precision
35.
Which activity requires prehension?
a)
Running
b)
Scribbling
c)
Climbing
d)
Walking
Answer: b) Scribbling
36.
Children usually show a preference for one hand
over the other by age:
a)
1 year
b)
2 years
c)
3 years
d)
4 years
Answer: b) 2 years
37.
A person who can use both hands equally well is
referred to as:
a)
Left-handed
b)
Right-handed
c)
Ambidextrous
d)
Dexterous
Answer: c) Ambidextrous
38.
Forced changes in a child’s natural hand
preference can lead to:
a)
Improved hand strength
b)
Problems like stuttering or reading difficulties
c)
Higher intelligence
d)
Faster writing speed
Answer: b) Problems like stuttering or
reading difficulties
39.
The term "handedness" refers to:
a)
The dominant hand used for activities
b)
Eye-hand coordination
c)
Fine motor skills
d)
The ability to write neatly
Answer: a) The dominant hand used for
activities
40.
Handedness may result from:
a)
Heredity only
b)
Social conditioning only
c)
Both heredity and social conditioning
d)
Neither heredity nor social conditioning
Answer: c) Both heredity and social
conditioning
41.
A child who is physically smaller than peers
may:
a)
Exhibit more aggressive behavior
b)
Tend to be more withdrawn and shy
c)
Be the class leader
d)
Display no difference in social adjustment
Answer: b) Tend to be more withdrawn and
shy
42.
Physical development in children can impact
their:
a)
Academic intelligence only
b)
Interest in sports only
c)
Personality and social adjustment
d)
Only physical abilities
Answer: c) Personality and social
adjustment
43.
A physically well-developed child may be more
likely to:
a)
Experience low self-esteem
b)
Avoid physical activities
c)
Take on a leadership role
d)
Prefer solitary play
Answer: c) Take on a leadership role
44.
Children with strong motor skills are often:
a)
Admired by peers
b)
Rejected by peers
c)
Ignored by teachers
d)
Less confident
Answer: a) Admired by peers
45.
Physical differences from peers may cause a
child to:
a)
Become more social
b)
Experience teasing and self-esteem issues
c)
Excel in all school subjects
d)
Be universally accepted
Answer: b) Experience teasing and
self-esteem issues
46.
Physical and motor development in children is
influenced by:
a)
Biological factors only
b)
Environmental factors only
c)
Both biological and environmental factors
d)
Neither biological nor environmental factors
Answer: c) Both biological and
environmental factors
47.
A child’s readiness for a task, such as
balancing or running, depends on:
a)
Motivation only
b)
Maturation of their body and brain
c)
Coaching quality
d)
Peer influence
Answer: b) Maturation of their body and
brain
48.
A healthy, balanced diet is important for:
a)
Cognitive development only
b)
Optimum physical and motor development
c)
Only academic performance
d)
Reducing the need for exercise
Answer: b) Optimum physical and motor
development
49.
When a child’s body is not yet mature enough for
a physical skill, pushing them can result in:
a)
Rapid improvement
b)
Decreased stress
c)
Frustration and anxiety
d)
No change
Answer: c) Frustration and anxiety
50.
Which of the following is least likely to affect
a child’s physical and motor development?
a)
Regular physical exercise
b)
Good nutrition
c)
Access to educational materials
d)
Opportunities for skill practice
Answer: c) Access to educational materials
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