Thinking About Physical Development Throughout the Stages
The physical development of a child is determined by many factors, such as heredity, nutrition, and the environment in which they live (Manasova, 2021). All of these factors interact with each other to produce the final outcome of physical growth and motor development. As children grow and develop, they go through different stages of physical development. These stages are infancy/toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
During infancy/toddlerhood, the main focus of physical growth is on body size and proportions. The infant’s head grows rapidly during this time and begins to take on a more adult-like shape (Vitomskiy et al., 2018). The arms and legs also grow longer, and the trunk of the body begins to catch up in size with the head. Infants also gain a lot of fat during this time, which helps to protect them from cold temperatures and provides energy for growth. The soldiers also start to form during this time. They make smoother movements with their bodies and start to develop more coordinated movement patterns. They can hold their head up and sit without support. The limbs begin to work together to produce coordinated movement. The digestive and respiratory systems also mature during this time.
During early childhood, the focus of physical growth shifts from an increase in body size to changes in body proportions (Gritsinskaya & Novikova, 2019). The head becomes proportionately smaller compared to the rest of the body, and the limbs grow more rapidly than the trunk. This results in a more adult-like appearance. Children also gain muscle mass during this time and their bones continue to grow and become stronger. The respiratory system also matures during this time. The child’s heart and lungs are better able to supply the body with oxygen, which results in more endurance and stamina.
During middle childhood, the child’s physical growth slows down, and they reach their full adult height. They also gain more muscle mass and bone density during this time. The respiratory system continues to mature and the child’s heart and lungs are able to supply the body with even more oxygen (DeHart, Sroufe & Cooper, 2018). The body proportions also become more adult-like during this time. The child’s coordination and motor skills also continue to improve. The child can now run, jump, and catch a ball with ease. They can also skip, hop, and ride a bike.
During adolescence, the body goes through a growth spurt. This is when the child grows the most rapidly. Adolescence is also when puberty begins. Puberty is the process of sexual maturation (DeHart, Sroufe & Cooper, 2018). During puberty, the child’s body begins to produce sex hormones, which results in the development of secondary sexual characteristics. These characteristics include things like breast development in girls and facial hair growth in boys. Puberty also causes changes in body proportions. The trunk of the body becomes longer, and the limbs become shorter. This results in a more adult-like appearance. Adolescence is also when the child’s coordination and motor skills reach their peak.
Conclusion
Child development is a complex process that is influenced by many factors. Heredity, nutrition, and the environment all play a role in physical development. The four main stages of physical development are infancy/toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. Each stage is characterized by different changes in body growth and motor development. The child’s physical development is an important part of their overall development and can have a lasting impact on their health and well-being.
References
DeHart, G. B., Sroufe, L. A., & Cooper, R. G. (2018). Child development: Its nature and course. McGraw-Hill.
Gritsinskaya, V. L., & Novikova, V. P. (2019). Physical development of children in St. Petersburg: to the discussion about methods of evaluation. Pediatrician (St. Petersburg), 10(2), 33-36.
Manasova, I. S. (2021). Analysis of Indicators of Physical Development of Preschool Children. Central Asian Journal of medical and natural sciences, 2(2), 154-157.
Vitomskiy, V., Kormiltsev, V., Hruzevych, I., Salnykova, S., Shevchuk, Y., & Yakusheva, Y. (2018). Features of the physical development of children with functionally single heart ventricle as a basis of the physical rehabilitation technology after a hemodynamic correction.
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Question 
Units 3 and 4 have been devoted to understanding physical development in infancy/toddlerhood, childhood, and adolescence. For this Assignment, please use the Unit 4 Assignment Template to write a descriptive essay describing major trends in physical changes from infancy/toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence by focusing on body growth and motor development.
Thinking About Physical Development Throughout the Stages
Provide one detailed example of the two types of physical development for each stage, and be sure to cite the textbook information/research findings to support your ideas.
For each of the four stages, explain:
How heredity (nature) and the environment (nurture) can influence physical growth.