Factors in Childhood Physical Development
Watching a child roll over on his own for the first time is a major milestone for most parents or caregivers. Children then learn to walk and then run. These physical develops occur over a period of time. There are a number of factors that help children reach their physical potential, including gross and fine motor skills.
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Environment
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The environment for a child must, first and foremost, be safe. A child that does not feel safe will not be concerned about exploring his world but rather on staying safe. The home should be a place for the child to be able to spread his wings and experience the world. The environment should not overwhelm the senses of the baby, such as overexposing the child to loud noises and bright lights. There should be age appropriate toys and the ability to play with those toys.
Activities
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When playing with your child, develop activities that help her grow physically. For example, each day a baby should spend time on her stomach. This helps the child develop core muscles to lift the head and body off the floor. It also encourages the baby to roll over or begin to crawl. Other activities such as rolling a ball back and forth help develop gross and fine motor skills. Rolling the ball is a gross motor skill and catching the ball is a fine motor skill.
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Diet and Exercise
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A poor diet can hold back the physical and mental development of a child. A child, once he is able to eat solid foods, should have a well balanced diet that provides the calcium, proteins and carbohydrates that he needs. It is also important to let children exercise. A baby should not be confined to a swing or playpen. Allow a baby to stand on his own legs when holding him. Place the baby in a high chair to eat meals and help build core muscle strength. This helps lead to a baby sitting up on his own. A child needs to have a chance to gain strength and the ability to move on to the next developmental accomplishment.
Play
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One of the most basic aspects to honing both gross and fine motor skills is to allow the child to play. Inside and outside play should offer children the opportunity to practice these skills. For example, a playset with a climbing wall helps children development gross motor skills required to climb the wall. Blocks should be available for the child to build and arrange to work on fine motor skills. Legos and puzzles are also ideal for developing fine motor skills.
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References
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