Fostering Physical Development

Physical development addresses these areas:

growth—a progressive increase and maturation of the body

motor skills—the use of small and large muscles

physical needs and energy levels—nutrition and sleep needs and the amount of vigor available to and expended by a child or youth

appearance—what someone looks like and the image he or she presents

The physical development of children in early elementary school (kindergarten to grade 2) has the following characteristics:

• steady growth

• development of gross motor skills (large muscle/arms, legs)

• development of fine motor skills (small muscle/hands, toes)

• a need for adequate nightly sleep and proper nutrition

Your role with young children is to use simple physical activities that develop muscle groups and coordination while encouraging effort, participation, improvement, and teamwork.

Section 1: Growth

Developmental Characteristics

Young children are experiencing slow, steady growth. They are flexible at this age because their ligaments are not yet attached. They are learning how to use their bodies to master simple physical skills, develop coordination, and strengthen muscles. Permanent teeth gradually replace the first set of front teeth (incisors and canines).

How to Apply This Information

Organize and facilitate physical activities that don't need much adult instruction. Initiate structured games, which are of high interest with this age group. Stay within young children's physical comfort level, keep fine-motor-skills activities short, and monitor frustration levels. Use both outdoor space and an indoor gym for physical activities.

Sample Activities

1. Encourage repetitive activities, such as running, throwing and catching balls, and swimming.

2. Organize active, fun, and engaging games in which children move their bodies, such as follow the leader, freeze tag, catch, hopscotch, Nerf dodge ball, and tee-ball.

3. Play appropriate music for group dancing.

4. Use age-appropriate fitness videos, such as DVDs, web-based videos, and/or fitness-based programs on gaming consoles.

Section 2: Motor Skills

Developmental Characteristics

The motor skills of younger children are still developing. Writing becomes smaller and more legible, and drawing becomes more organized. Children are developing hand-eye coordination. They are better with gross (large muscle) than fine (small muscle) motor skills, although both are developing. They have improved body coordination, yet they can still fall easily. Skill levels vary based on the amount of physical activity in which they participate and their individual characteristics.

How to Apply This Information

Offer a variety of fun, organized activities that use both small and large muscle groups, and repeat them for mastery. Give simple, repetitive directions and show patience and encouragement.

Help develop fine motor skills with crafts and drawing activities.

Engage younger children in developmentally appropriate organized sports that emphasize effort, improvement, participation, and teamwork and that build on the children's interests. Encourage enjoyment and skill development over competition. Provide a safe environment for both indoor and outdoor physical activities.

Sample Activities

1. Promote gross motor skills with activities that involve running, kicking, galloping, skipping, hopping, climbing, jumping, throwing, and catching through games such as kickball, tag, and gym/field games like red light/green light.

2. Promote fine motor skills with activities that involve cutting, gluing, coloring, and building, such as doing arts and crafts, drawing, playing with blocks or Legos, and printing letters and numbers.

3. Offer activities like bowling and biking that develop balance.

4. Provide entry-level sports with flexible rules.

5. Help younger children to use a computer, follow computer prompts, manipulate a mouse, and play age-appropriate computer games.

Section 3: Physical Needs and Energy Level

Developmental Characteristics

Younger children are very active and have boundless energy. They enjoy long periods of free play and may require rest after high-energy play. They need a full night's sleep (ten to eleven hours) and healthy, nutritious meals and snacks as they begin to develop eating habits of their own.

How to Apply This Information

Provide a balance of high-energy and sedentary activities. Promote activities that allow younger children to move around, use their bodies, and expend energy. Keep activities simple, and don't over organize or complicate activities with detailed instructions. Let younger children learn new skills and concepts by doing rather than by being told about a new skill or concept.

Provide healthy snacks and meals that include milk, fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts, and lean meats, and control unhealthy choices like sodas and candies.

Sample Activities

1. Provide properly equipped free playtime indoors and outdoors.

2. Play simple games that expend energy, such as Simon says; red light, green light; "how many steps?"; and the like.

3. Offer healthy, nutritious meals and snacks, including milk, fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts, and lean meats, as recommended by the US Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.

4. Teach healthy eating habits.

5. Let younger children help organize and pass out snacks.

6. Share proper sleep habits, encouraging bedtimes from seven to nine o'clock based on school start times.

Section 4: Appearance

Developmental Characteristics

The physical appearance of younger children is characterized by steady growth. Parents...