Everybody has a chronological age, which represents the age of the person in calendar years. The teacher/instructor should already be aware that an individual’s chronological age does not always represent his stage of development. This is because individuals develop at different rates. For example, some children will find learning sport specific skills very difficult where as others will make it look relatively simple. Some children will be more physically developed than others of the same age, although it can often be found that if a child is slow to develop in one area, others may also progress slowly.
Intellectual Development
It is very important for the teacher/instructor to understand the level of skill which can be expected form an individual, in relation to his stage of development. A good understanding in this area enables the teacher/instructor to set realistic goals, and ensures that the tasks which would be impossible for the child to achieve are not included at an inappropriate stage.
First two years - rapid motor development
Pre School - all basic locomotor skills normally established: development of range of eye and limb co-ordination
8 years
Adolescence - wide range of physical skills developed
Adolescence
Adult - reinforcement of previously learned skills, introduction to new skills
Physical Development
Growth can be defined as:
An increase in physical size of the whole or any parts, dimensions or tissues, that occurs as part of the child’s progress towards maturity.
There are a number of factors which affect the rate of growth of an individual;
- Maternal nutrition
- Abuse during pregnancy e.g. smoking
- Nutrition during early months/years
- Physical activity during childhood
- Genes – inherited characteristics
The rate of growth of a child up to post adolescence is continuous but not consistent. The teacher/instructor will be familiar with growth spurts. A child in the class completes the last course of lessons (swimming) before the summer break and on returning after the break appears to have grown in height quite considerably. Growth can be divided into a number of recognized stages.
- Early foetal stage - rapid growth
- Birth - growth slows down
- Early years - growth speeds up
- Early years to pre - growth slows down
- Adolescence - growth speeds up
- Post adolescence - growth slows down
The peak rate of growth for a girl during adolescence will be, on average, at the age of 12 years, with the peak rate for boys being 14 years of age. If the teacher/instructor is involved with children at the age of adolescence there is a noticeable change in girls who, for a period of time are ahead of the boys in physical growth. In general terms females will reach full height at around 16 years whilst boys will continue to gain height up to about 18 years.
During activity sessions, if carried out in an appropriate manner, will have an effect on growth:
- Size and structure of bones positively affected
- Flexibility and strength of joints maintained and extended
- Development of muscles
- Increase in strength
- Development of cardio-respiratory system
Social and Emotional Development
Children’s social development is influenced by a number of factors, their home life, their school, their friends and also their own stage of emotional development. Although a child may be an early physical developer, the teacher/instructor must remember that their social and emotional development may not have reached the same stage. A good example of this would be the five year old child who is tall for his age and, as a result of this, has also developed motor skills above the level of most children of the same age. It is easy for the teacher/instructor to expect this child to behave in the manner of an older child just because of his appearance. If his social and emotional development is also taken into consideration the teacher/instructor may be able to establish a better relationship based on lower expectations of his social abilities.
