What is the physical development: Physical Development | HHS Office of Population Affairs

Опубликовано: September 30, 2023 в 6:42 pm

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Physical Development | HHS Office of Population Affairs

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Unique Issues in Physical Development
How Parents and Caring Adults Can Support Physical Development

General Physical Changes Adolescents Experience

Although some of the physical changes that happen during adolescence are internal and not visible, others can be seen easily by others. These obvious changes in the body can affect how adults and peers of all sexes view and treat young people.

The changes that occur both inside and outside the body during adolescence happen through a process called “puberty.” This process stems from the release of certain hormones (chemicals) in the brain. These hormones released are the same in all adolescents, but differences in hormone levels lead to different results in males and females. The physical changes in adolescents shift them from their childhood bodies to their adult bodies and give them the ability to get pregnant or cause pregnancy. This ability to get pregnant or cause pregnancy is called “fertility.”

Anyone who looks at an adolescent male and female side by side will see some clear differences. Still, adolescents of both sexes exhibit many changes in common, most notably, growth spurts in height and weight. During these growth spurts, bones and muscles get longer and stronger, which allows adolescents to take on tasks they were likely not able to do as younger children, such as lifting heavy objects and walking, running, or biking long distances. Many young people will reach their full adult height by the end of puberty. Beyond the growth spurts, other physical changes that happen in both males and females include body odor, acne, and more body hair.

As noted above, many of the physical changes in adolescence are related to fertility. Some adolescents may be embarrassed by these changes at first, but they need to know that they happen to everyone. Consider this short list:

Females will see changes in where fat appears on their body. For example, breasts become fuller and hips grow wider. Females typically experience their first menstruation (or period) during adolescence. Early on, periods can be irregular and affected by illness, stress, and even exercise.

Males’ shoulders become broader, and their muscles get bigger. The penis and testicles also grow, and males will begin to experience erections and ejaculations, both voluntary and involuntary (sometimes happening while asleep). Males’ voices also deepen during this time and may crack during the shift.

Beyond developing fertility, these visible sex-specific changes also let others know that a person is no longer a child. It is important to note that while the physical changes that adolescents experience happen to everyone, the timing and order of these changes will vary from person to person.

Unique Issues in Physical Development

Although the major physical development milestones of adolescence happen to everyone, the timing of these milestones varies a lot, both between and within the sexes.

Some adolescents exhibit physical signs of maturity sooner than their peers, and others exhibit them later. For example, the visible physical changes in males often begin a couple of years after they begin in females. The timing of a female’s first period also varies: girls can start their period as early as 8 and as late as 16.

These differences can be hard for adolescents: they may feel self-conscious, or worry that they don’t fit in if they don’t look like others their age. These variations also can lead to other people treating adolescents in a way that does not match their cognitive or emotional development. For instance, females who develop visible curves or males whose voices change during middle school may be treated more like older teenagers by both their peers and adults, even if they do not have the cognitive or emotional maturity of older teenagers. In contrast, adolescents who exhibit physical changes later than their peers may be treated like younger children, even though they are more mature cognitively and emotionally. Some research suggests that youth who experience faster physical development are more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior than their peers and that teens who develop more slowly than their peers may be more likely to face bullying.

Many factors can be responsible for differences in the timing and results of adolescents’ physical changes, such as:

Genes. A person’s genetic makeup can affect the timing of puberty and what the changes look like.

Diet/nutrition and exercise before and during adolescence. Overweight females, for example, are more likely to have their first period and experience breast development at younger ages than their peers.

Chronic illnesses. Conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, diabetes, or bowel problems also can contribute to delays in growth and puberty because of nutrient deficiencies, toxin excess, and/or medication side effects.

Substance use. Smoking or using other drugs can harm adolescents’ growth and development. Smoking can stunt lung growth and make it harder to grow strong bones.¹

Development in other areas. Variations in cognitive, emotional, social, and/or moral development also can influence and be influenced by physical changes in adolescence. For instance, those who look different than their peers (e.g., being overweight or underweight) are at a higher risk of being bullied by peers.

How Parents and Caring Adults Can Support Physical Development

Here are some ways that parents and other caring adults can support adolescents through these physical changes:

Let adolescents know that what they are going through is normal. Although “normal” development covers a wide range, even older adolescents (and sometimes, their parents) are concerned with “fitting in.” Remind teens that despite their concerns, their personal developmental path is okay, even if it is different from that of their peers. People develop at different times and not all bodies will look the same even when fully developed. Variation is not at all unusual.

Encourage adolescents to have a positive view of their bodies. Beyond reassuring that the timing of changes in the body varies from person to person, parents and caring adults can help adolescents appreciate their own bodies and developmental experiences. Reminding teens that they are valued and accepted no matter how they look can help nurture self-respect and self-esteem in adolescents and counter negative body image issues or other anxieties.

Help adolescents eat well. Parents and other adults play a large role in adolescents’ nutrition, by modeling healthy eating, following dietary guidelines, and making sure adolescents have access to healthy foods. Keeping healthy snacks at home and limiting junk food goes a long way to promoting solid nutrition. Consider preparing and sharing meals with your teen to promote healthy eating.

Get active with adolescents. As with healthy eating, parents and caring adults can model physical activity, making it easier for adolescents to avoid becoming “couch potatoes. ” If able, parents can go on walks or bike rides with their adolescent or just toss around a ball. If a teen is competitive or very social, parents can help the teen to sign up for a sport at school or in a community league. For video game fans, parents can select games that involve physical activity, such as Just Dance. The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition offers additional resources so parents can help teens stay fit and healthy.

Teach adolescents to avoid drugs. It’s important for parents to talk to adolescents about how smoking and other drug use can hurt their health and keep them from growing strong and to lead by example. Check out the National Institute on Drug Abuse website for more information, including videos, games, and blog posts.

Make sure adolescents get enough sleep. Sleep helps adolescents grow and strengthen their bodies and perform better in school, sports, and other activities. Strategies for parents include having a “lights out” rule, limiting the number of electronic devices (e. g., cell phone, computer) in a teen’s bedroom, and encouraging routines that help adolescents relax at the end of the day, such as reading a book before bed.

Show adolescents how to discuss and maintain their health. Adolescents should receive regular healthcare, including vaccines and preventive care, such as “well visits.” Parents and other adults also can help adolescents by giving them the skills to comfortably and effectively communicate with doctors and other healthcare professionals, as well as time alone with healthcare providers to discuss health concerns in private. This support matters even more for adolescents who have chronic conditions or disabilities.

Adolescent Development Explained Guide

Additional information on adolescent development can be found in the Adolescent Development Explained guide, developed by the Office of Population Affairs.

Becoming an Adult (Adolescent Development Explained Webinar Series)

In this webinar, experts explore how the mind and body change during adolescence. Watch the recording on YouTube or review the slides.

Footnotes

¹ Smokefree.gov. (n.d.). Health effects. https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/why-you-should-quit/health-effects ^{back to top}

Supporting Physical Development Milestones in Early Childhood

Children achieve a rapid amount of growth and development between birth and age eight. However, most physical and emotional development occurs by age three, establishing the foundation for later development.

Between ages three and five, most children grow taller and quadruple in weight compared to the time of birth. They also have a more balanced and proportional appearance. In this time, most children also learn and master developmental milestones like sitting, walking, scribbling, using a spoon, and potty training.Physical development milestones provide the framework for tracking children’s growth and development. This way, parents and teachers can intervene on time if there are notable signs of physical and cognitive delays. In this article, we’ll elaborate on children’s physical development milestones from birth to age five and when to seek professional help in case of a delay.

Source

What is physical development?

Physical development refers to children’s ability to use and control their bodies, and includes improvements in their motor skills.

Development in a child’s brain, muscles, and senses are all related to their overall physical development. As children begin to explore the world around them, they become more capable of increasingly complex physical movements that support other key areas of development.

Why is physical development important?

Physical development supports other developmental domains like social and cognitive development and is the foundation for learning through exploration. Below, we elaborate on why physical development is important for children.

Encourages independence

As children develop physically, their independence grows. For instance, children require proper muscle development and coordination to sit, roll, walk, run, jump, and feed themselves. As children grow, they overcome physical limitations and have more control over their movements and bodies.

Supports social-emotional development

Social-emotional development refers to a child’s ability to relate to others and to express and manage emotions. As a child’s motor skills improve, they are able to interact more with the people around them. For instance, when a child rolls a ball back and forth with another child, they are able to learn how to take turns.

In addition, physical development allows children to express and regulate emotions in more ways than simply crying to get attention. More developed motor skills enable children to communicate better and express their needs clearly, like by pointing at objects they want or clapping when they are excited.

Improves physical and mental health

Physical development can improve children’s physical health by building strong bones and muscles, and helping children to maintain a healthy weight. More physically active children are less likely to suffer the risks of a sedentary lifestyle, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Physical activity also improves mental health by helping to reduce stress and improving mood.

Contributes to cognitive development

Cognitive development refers to a child’s ability to think and reason. Physical development allows children to explore their environment fully and learn more about objects around them and their own capabilities. Activities like learning dance moves and throwing or catching a ball are great physical activities that contribute to cognitive development.

What are the major physical development milestones?

Developmental milestones are essential to observe because they provide the framework for assessing children’s growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical development milestones refer to what most children (75%) can do by a certain age. Below are the stages of physical development from birth to age five:

Physical development milestones in infancy (0-2 years old)

Holds head up while on tummy
Moves arms and legs
Grasps an adult’s finger
Raises head and chest when lying
Swings arms at objects
Brings hands to mouth
Pushes up from the ground onto elbows when lying on tummy
Rolls from tummy to back
Uses hands to support while sitting
Moves objects from one hand to the other
Sits without support around nine months
Pulls up to stand
Uses furniture and other objects for support when walking
Drinks from a cup with adult help
Uses thumb and fingers to pick up small items
Takes a few steps around 15 months
Squats to pick up objects
Stands up without support
Walks independently around 18 months
Eats with a spoon

Physical development milestones in toddlers (2-3 years old)

Walks and maintains balance over uneven surfaces
Jumps off the ground with both feet
Walks up stairs
Strings items together, like large beads
Coordinates both hands to play, such as swinging a bat
Takes off some clothes independently
Uses hands to twist objects
Turns pages in a book
Uses a fork

Physical development milestones in toddlers (3-4 years old)

Holds a pencil or crayon
Draws shapes like circles and squares
Hops and stands on one foot for about five seconds
Walks up and down stairs
Kicks a ball forward
Throws and catches a ball
Puts some clothes on themselves

Physical development in preschoolers (4-5 years old)

Holds a pencil or crayon between the finger and thumb
Draws shapes
Throws and catches a ball
Coordinates hand and finger movements
Hops on one foot
Uses utensils to pick up pieces of food
Drinks from a cup
Serves food or pours water, with adult supervision
Unbuttons some buttons
Dresses themselves
Walks up and down stairs alone

How to support children’s physical development in early childhood

Though physical development is a natural process in early childhood, families and teachers can support children in achieving their developmental milestones. Below we look at ways to support children’s physical development in early childhood:

Engage in fun and simple activities that promote environmental exploration. Incorporate basic physical skills into your activities like, jumping, crawling, bending, and skipping.
Create flexible physical development plans to track and accommodate children at various stages of development.
Create a safe and conducive play environment both indoors and outdoors and provide plenty of materials, toys, and props that encourage physical development.

Below are some specific activity ideas that promote physical development in early childhood.

Source

Activities to support physical development in infants and toddlers (0-3 years old)

Practice tummy time
Put toys nearby and encourage infants to reach for them
Teach children how to flip pages of a book when reading with them
Sing songs and play games that require body movement like, “Hokey Pokey”
Engage in sensory play activities like working with playdough, creating a sensory bin, finger painting, or making music

Activities to support physical development in toddlers and preschoolers (3-5 years old)

Playing simple games that incorporate movement like, “Duck, Duck, Goose”, “Follow the Leader”, or “Simon Says”
Planning activities such as a scavenger hunt or obstacle course
Taking family walks or visiting parks
Dancing to music
Having toys that promote physical activity like, balls, jump ropes, scooters, and bikes

Signs of delays and when to seek professional help

Children experiencing physical developmental delays are behind the typical development milestones for their age. While each child develops at their own pace and some might reach key milestones later, if you’re concerned about your child’s development, don’t wait. Sometimes developmental delays can be a sign of a health condition, so talk to your child’s doctor about developmental screening and share your concerns.

Some signs of physical developmental delays could include things like:

Your child not growing the way they should
Your child displaying stiff or tight movements
Your child displaying signs of weakness and limpness
Your child not keeping up with other children of the same age while playing
Your child becoming easily tired

You may also ask for a referral to a specialist or contact your state’s early intervention program to see what services are available to your child.

Conclusion

Physical development is a crucial developmental milestone for all children. It encourages independence and supports activities like art, sports, and social-emotional domains. Physical development also supports healthy mental and physical growth in children.

Families and teachers can support children’s physical development by encouraging indoor and outdoor physical activities, creating flexible development plans, and providing plenty of spaces and materials that encourage movement and motor skill development.

Physical development | it’s… What is Physical Development?

United States Army Physical Development Assessment: Height Measurement and Weighting.

Physical development is a dynamic process of growth (increase in body length and weight, development of body organs and systems, etc.) and biological maturation of a child in a certain period of childhood ^[1] . The process of development of a set of morphological and functional properties of the body ^[2] (growth rate, body weight gain, a certain sequence of increase in various parts of the body and their proportions, as well as the maturation of various organs and systems at a certain stage of development), mainly programmed by hereditary mechanisms and implemented according to a specific plan under optimal living conditions ^[1] .

1 General
2 Main parameters
3 Physical fitness and fitness
4 Physical performance
5 See also
6 Notes
7 Links

General information

Physical development reflects the processes of growth and development of the organism at certain stages of postnatal ontogenesis (individual development), when the transformation of the genotypic potential into phenotypic manifestations most clearly occurs. Features of the physical development and physique of a person largely depend on his constitution.

Physical development, along with fertility, morbidity and mortality, is one of the indicators of the level of health of the population ^[2] . The processes of physical and sexual development are interconnected and reflect the general laws of growth and development, but at the same time they significantly depend on social, economic, sanitary and hygienic and other conditions, the influence of which is largely determined by a person’s age.

Physical development is understood as continuously ongoing biological processes. At each age stage, they are characterized by a certain complex of morphological, functional, biochemical, mental and other properties of the body related to each other and to the external environment and due to this uniqueness of the supply of physical strength. A good level of physical development is combined with high levels of physical fitness, muscular and mental performance.

Adverse factors affecting the prenatal period and in early childhood can disrupt the sequence of development of the body, sometimes causing irreversible changes. Thus, environmental factors (nutrition, upbringing, social conditions, the presence of diseases, and others) during the period of intensive growth and development of the child can have a greater influence on growth than genetic or other biological factors ^[1] .

Basic parameters

The assessment of physical development is based on the parameters of growth, body weight, the proportions of development of individual parts of the body, as well as the degree of development of the functional abilities of his body (vital capacity of the lungs, muscle strength of the hands, etc. ; muscle development and muscle tone, posture, musculoskeletal -motor apparatus, development of the subcutaneous fat layer, tissue turgor), which depend on the differentiation and maturity of the cellular elements of organs and tissues, the functional abilities of the nervous system and the endocrine apparatus ^[3] . Historically, physical development has been judged mainly by external morphological characteristics. However, the value of such data immeasurably increases in combination with data on the functional parameters of the organism. That is why, for an objective assessment of physical development, morphological parameters should be considered together with indicators of the functional state The aerobic system uses oxygen to convert carbohydrates into energy sources. With long sessions, fats and, in part, proteins are also involved in this process, which makes aerobic training almost ideal for fat loss.

Speed endurance – the ability to resist fatigue in submaximal speed loads.

Strength endurance – the ability to resist fatigue with sufficiently long loads of a strength nature. Strength endurance shows how much the muscles can create repeated efforts and for how long to maintain such activity.

Speed-strength endurance – the ability to perform sufficiently long-term exercises of a power nature with maximum speed.

Flexibility – the ability of a person to perform movements with a large amplitude due to the elasticity of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Good flexibility reduces the risk of injury during exercise.

Speed - the ability to alternate between muscle contraction and relaxation as quickly as possible.

Dynamic muscle strength – the ability to maximize the rapid (explosive) manifestation of efforts with heavy weights or own body weight. In this case, a short-term release of energy occurs, which does not require oxygen, as such. The growth of muscle strength is often accompanied by an increase in muscle volume and density – the “building” of muscles.

In addition to the aesthetic value, enlarged muscles are less prone to damage and contribute to weight control, since muscle tissue requires more calories than fat, even during rest.

Dexterity – the ability to perform coordination-complex motor actions.

Body composition – the ratio of fat, bone and muscle tissues of the body. This ratio, in part, shows the state of health and fitness depending on weight and age. Excess body fat increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

Height-weight characteristics and body proportions – these parameters characterize the size, body weight, distribution of body mass centers, physique. These parameters determine the effectiveness of certain motor actions and the “fitness” of using the athlete’s body for certain sports achievements.

An important indicator of a person’s physical development is posture – a complex morpho-functional characteristic of the musculoskeletal system, as well as his health, an objective indicator of which are positive trends in the above indicators.

Physical fitness and physical fitness

Since the concepts of “physical development” and “physical fitness” are often confused, it should be noted that physical fitness is the result of physical training achieved during the performance of motor actions necessary for the development or performance of professional or sports activities by a person.

Optimal physical readiness is called physical readiness .

Physical fitness is characterized by the level of functionality of various body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular) and the development of basic physical qualities (strength, endurance, speed, agility, flexibility). Assessment of the level of physical fitness is carried out according to the results shown in special control exercises (tests) for strength, endurance, etc. To assess the level of physical fitness, it must be measured. General physical fitness is measured using tests. The set and content of tests should be different for age, gender, professional affiliation, and also depending on the physical culture and health program used and its purpose.

Physical performance

Human performance is the ability of a person to perform a given function with a particular efficiency.

Notes

↑ ¹ ² ^{90 119 3} A. V. Mazurin, I. M. Vorontsov. Propaedeutics of childhood diseases. – 1st ed. – M.: Medicine, 1986. – S. 29-30. — 432 p. — 100,000 copies.
↑ ¹ ² TSB: Physical development.
↑ Malyavskaya SI Evaluation of the physical development and puberty of girls. Materials of the 36th regional scientific-practical conference of pediatricians of the Arkhangelsk region. Arkhangelsk, April 26-28, 2005 (part 1).
↑ Sports medicine: textbook. for in-t nat. cult./Ed. V. L. Karpman. M .: Physical culture and sport, 1987. – 304 p.