Physical development refers to the changes in: height, weight, bone thickness, muscles, teeth, hair, brain, sense organs (e.g., eyes, ears, nose, etc.). Motor skills such as learning to walk and write are also part of physical development.

Motor development involves the child’s ability to control and coordinate movements of different body parts. It includes two main types of skills:

1. Gross Motor Skills: These involve large muscles and are used in activities like: Running, Jumping, Throwing, Climbing, etc.
2. Fine Motor Skills: These involve smaller muscles, such as those in the fingers and toes, used for: Writing, Knitting, Lacing shoes, Threading beads, Typing, etc.

During Infancy (Birth–2 Years) - Key Characteristics

1. At birth, the average infant weighs about 3 kilograms and measures around 50 centimeters in length. Bones are soft and flexible, consisting of cartilage.
2. Boys are typically taller and heavier than girls at birth. Growth during the first two years is rapid - Weight and height often double by the fourth month.
3. Senses:
   • Newborns can see and hear but with limited accuracy.
   • The sense of smell is well-developed, and infants prefer sweet liquids.
   • By the end of infancy, the senses reach adult levels.
4. Motor milestones include sitting, crawling, creeping, walking, and jumping.

Childhood Stage (2–11 Years)

The childhood stage begins at approximately age 2 and ends with sexual maturity. It is divided into:

1. Early Childhood (2–6 years)
2. Middle Childhood (6–8 years)
3. Late Childhood (8–11 years)

Key Characteristics:

1. Growth during early childhood is slower compared to infancy.
2. Limb growth accelerates during middle childhood, and permanent teeth begin to appear around age six.
3. Late childhood sees relatively uniform growth until the rapid development of puberty.
Motor Development:
• Boys tend to excel in gross motor activities like running and jumping.
• Children develop smoother and more varied physical coordination.

Adolescence Stage (11-18 Years)

Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, starting around 11 years and ending around 18 years. Pubescence is a stage where significant physical changes occur, marking the transition from child to adult. Key Characteristics:

1. Rapid growth in height, though weight may not yet reach its maximum.
2. Boys develop deeper voices; girls develop breasts and rounded body contours.
3. Hair grows in different parts of the body for both boys and girls.
4. Adolescents often become self-conscious about their appearance, comparing themselves with peers.

Educational Implications of Physical Development

1. Recognize individual differences in height, weight, and strength when assigning tasks to children.
2. Provide opportunities for regular exercise like running, jumping, and climbing to promote physical and motor development.
3. Consider maturity of vision - For young children, use large fonts and ensure proper lighting during activities to prevent eye strain.
4. Provide age-appropriate materials for activities, such as soft chalk or crayons for writing and drawing.