What Skills do Children Develop at Different Ages

Young children develop rapidly in several developmental areas, including language, cognitive, social and physical. Physical development encompasses growth and motor skill abilities.

Most children develop along a general time frame, but variations in physical development occur from child to child. Pediatricians typically monitor physical development at well-child visits.

Significance

Physical development allows children to interact with and explore the world around them. Physical development includes increases in muscular strength and coordination.

Children develop both gross motor and fine motor skills as they grow. Gross motor skills include those skills that use large muscle groups, such as running and jumping.

Fine motor skills include those skills that use small muscle groups, such writing with a pencil and tying shoelaces.

Features
At approximately three years of age, physical features begin to change. Children begin develop more muscle tone at this point and the percentage of body fat decreases as well. According to Merck, height and weight growth rates in preschool and elementary school typically remain steady. A major growth spurt usually occurs sometime in early adolescence. Merck suggests that doubling a child’s height at two years of age may predict a child’s adult height.

Encouraging physical development at home
Now that you understand some of the key physical/motor skills your child should have, you can reinforce her development and foster further progress where necessary. It’s easy (and fun!) to practice physical skills with your child throughout the day.

Here are some guidelines and activities to try:
Give your child the space and freedom to use large muscles, through activities such as running, climbing and swinging on playground equipment.

Make sure your child gets adequate sleep and nutrition to fuel her overall development and activity.

Take your child to a pediatrician for regular well-child exams, and be sure to have her vision and hearing checked. Even small problems, caught and addressed at this age, can greatly enhance motor skill development and confidence.

Collect toys and equipment that your child can use to help her develop large muscles. (For example: hula hoops, bean bags, tricycle, large beach balls and a child-sized basketball hoop.)

Set up empty water bottles like bowling pins, and let your child use a soft ball to “bowl.”
Join your child in active play. Play catch, tag, or set up a simple obstacle course.
Give your child opportunities to practice small motor skills using child safety scissors, Lego blocks, dice, and buttons.

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