Physical Development Activities for Kids
From babyhood, children make developmental progress so quickly that parents can hardly keep track of what's new from day to day. As far as gross motor development--use of the large muscle groups--the ability to run appears one week and the next week the child is jumping. The first time a child reaches for an object and directs it to his mouth, you know that fine motor development is taking place. However naturally all of this may happen, parents and teachers can still provide kids with lots of activities to enhance their physical development.
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Importance
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Providing a child with a variety of physical activities ensures that every aspect of her motor development gets a workout. For example, a child who runs around outside all day might be lagging behind in some fine motor development; conversely, a child who spends all her time drawing may not be giving her legs much of a workout. Even within these categories, variety is necessary. A running child should have a chance to ride a tricycle, jump and throw a ball. A child who draws can be encouraged to fill small containers with water, play finger games and string beads, as well.
Modeling
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Children who see their parents engaging in physical activities will be much more likely to do the same, particularly if they can join in with their parents. Long walks around the neighborhood, throwing balls into baskets at various heights and swimming together are a few possibilities. As for fine motor skills, children who help their parents with cooking, wrapping packages or making small household repairs are developing small muscles along the way. A parent who shows enthusiasm for any active leisure-time pursuit, whether it's golf or gardening, is modeling the importance, and the fun, of physical activity.
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Gross-Motor Development Activities
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Simply put, most kids need to be physically active for several hours a day in order to develop gross motor skills. In addition to just plain running around, that physical activity should include jumping and climbing activities; a backyard obstacle course can be constructed for this purpose. Walking on a balance beam, walking on coffee-can stilts and walking like different animals are all effective activities for building large motor skills. Outdoor play sets, bicycles, skates and equipment for all kinds of ball games are worthwhile investments in a child's motor development.
Fine Motor Development Activities
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The creative arts provide many activities for development of fine motor skills: drawing, painting, cutting out pictures, creating collages and playing with clay are just a few of these. Learning to play simple musical instruments, such as toy drums and xylophones, is effective as well. Games in which marbles, pegs or playing pieces need to be manipulated are good activities for practicing small motor skills. A variety of household tasks such as cooking activities that involve measuring and pouring, dusting small objects or stacking cans in the cabinet give a child a chance to help out while developing skills.
Considerations
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Children develop at different rates, and it is important to remember that lack of ability to perform specific skills at certain ages is not necessarily a problem sign. Physical development charts, such as the one cited in the Resource section, are helpful as a general guideline. More significant is the progress the child is making toward reaching various goals. If a parent is seriously concerned about developmental delays, a pediatrician should be consulted.
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