Physical development of a child.

Physical development of a child

Four months

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Eight months

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Four months

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Eight months

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

weight: 14-23 pounds
length: 25-30 inches
first teeth begin to appear
drools, mouths and chews on objects
needs at least 3-4 feedings per day
reaches for cup or spoon when being fed
drinks from a cup with help
enjoys some finely-chopped solid foods
closes mouth firmly or turns head when no longer hungry
may sleep 11-13 hours at night although this varies greatly
needs 2-3 naps during the day
develops a rhythm for feeding, eliminating, sleeping, and being awake
true eye colour is established
rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back
sits alone without support and holds head erect
raises up on arms and knees into crawling position; rocks back and forth, but may not move forward
uses finger and thumb to pick up an object
transfers objects from one hand to the other
hair growth begins to cover head

12 months

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

weight: 17-27 pounds
length: 27-32 inches
sleeps 11-13 hours at night
some babies will stop taking a morning nap; others will continue both morning and afternoon naps
begins to refuse bottle or weans self from breast during day
needs 3 meals a day with 2 snacks in between
enjoys drinking from a cup
begins to eat finger foods
continues to explore everything by mouth
enjoys opening and closing cabinet doors
crawls well
pulls self to a standing position
stands alone holding onto furniture for support
walks holding onto furniture or with adult help

Two year olds

Four year olds

weight: 27-50 pounds
height: 37-46 inches
uses a spoon, fork, and dinner knife skilfully
needs 10-12 hours sleep each night
dresses self without much assistance (unzip, unsnap, unbutton clothes;
lace but not tie shoes)
can feed self, brush teeth, comb hair, wash, dress, hang up clothes with little assistance
walks a straight line
hops on one foot
pedals and steers a tricycle skilfully
jumps over objects 5-6 inches high
runs, jumps, hops, and skips around obstacles with ease
stacks 10 or more blocks
forms shapes and objects out of clay or play dough, sometimes human
and animal figures
threads small beads on a string
catches, bounces, and throws a ball easily
likes to gallop, turn somersaults, climb ladders and trees, hop on one
foot

1. What are some developmental milestones in physical growth during the first five years of a child's life?

Birth-2 months: babies focus on your face when you talk; arm and leg movements appear to be uncoordinated; weak neck muscles mean that babies cannot control their head movements.
3-4 months: babies begin to develop head control and can lift their chests when placed on their stomachs. While you should let your baby have some supervised play time on her stomach, ALWAYS place your child on her back to sleep.
4-5 months: babies roll from side to back and/or from back to side.
6-7 months: babies can turn completely over (front to back and/or back to front).
7 months: babies can pull themselves up to stand but have trouble sitting down again.
7-8 months: babies can sit up steadily with the support of their arms.
8-10 months: babies can creep on their stomachs or begin to crawl on their hands and knees. (Some babies do not learn to crawl until after they learn to stand.)
9-11 months: babies can walk when led by the hands or "cruise" holding onto furniture.
12-15 months: babies can stand without holding on to anything and begin walking.

18 months: toddlers are walking well, both forward and backwards; they can creep down stairs and get on and off a low chair; they can throw a ball without losing balance.
24 months: children are able to run and climb.
36 months: children are refining large motor skills; they can alternate feet while climbing stairs, ride a tricycle, jump and balance on one foot. They can throw a ball overhand.
36-48 months: children can run and skip well, play simple ball games, and are skilled tricycle riders.
48-60 months: children can hop, skip, run, play with a ball, and climb.

2. What are some activities I can do to encourage my child's physical development?

Allow your baby plenty of safe space for rolling, scooting and crawling.
Make sure your baby's clothing is loose enough so arms and legs can move freely.
Play gentle exercise games.
To encourage your baby to crawl, place a favourite toy just out of reach.
Provide firm, stable objects on which your baby can pull up to a standing position.

Provide pull toys that make noise. Encourage your child to walk forward and backward while pulling the toy.
Help your child walk up and down stairs.
Help your child jump off the first or second step and over a small object.
Provide opportunities for your child to climb up and through things.
Provide both large and small balls for throwing and kicking.
Provide a wagon for pulling and carrying objects from place to place.

Have your child walk along a line drawn on the floor to learn balance.
Provide a mat for tumbling play such as rolls and somersaults.
Play catch with your child, starting with a large ball and gradually changing to smaller sized balls.