How to Support Physical Development in Early Childhood

Physical development in early childhood is significant to a child’s overall growth, encompassing changes in body structure, motor skills, and sensory perception. This developmental stage lays the foundation for children’s ability to engage in various activities, from playing to learning and self-care.

Understanding the stages and key components of physical development allows parents, educators, and caregivers to provide appropriate support that fosters healthy growth and long-term well-being.

Table Of Contents

What is Physical Development in Early Childhood?
Four Key Components of Physical Development in Early Childhood
How to Support Children's Physical Development
Supporting Your Children's Physical Development with UNIS Hanoi!

What is Physical Development in Early Childhood?

Physical development in early childhood is the progressive changes occurring in a child’s body between birth and age five. It includes growth in height and weight, improvements in motor skills, and the refinement of sensory abilities. This stage influences a child’s capacity to explore their environment, interact with others, and acquire new skills.

Early childhood education and care services provide structured opportunities to support and extend children’s physical abilities, helping them build confidence in their movement and interactions.

What is Physical Development in Early Childhood?

Here are three stages of physical development in early childhood:

Infant Stage (0-1 Year): Infants experience rapid growth and develop fundamental motor skills such as grasping, rolling over, sitting, and eventually crawling and walking. Hand-eye coordination improves as they learn to pick up and manipulate small objects.
Toddler Stage (1-3 Years): Toddlers refine their mobility, becoming more proficient at walking, running, and climbing. Their fine motor skills also advance, enabling them to manipulate objects more precisely, such as stacking blocks or turning pages in a book.
Preschool Stage (3-5 Years): At this stage, children further refine their motor skills and engage in more complex activities like jumping, skipping, and throwing objects accurately. Fine motor skills continue to develop, allowing children to use writing tools, dress themselves, and complete intricate hand-eye coordination tasks.

Four Key Components of Physical Development in Early Childhood

Physical development in early childhood can be categorised into four key components: gross motor skills, fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and physical health. Each component helps children develop coordination, independence, and the ability to explore their environment.

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skill is the ability to use large muscle groups in the arms, legs, and torso, enabling children to move and interact with their surroundings. These skills progress through several stages:

Whole-body movement: Infants roll, shuffle, or crawl before progressing to walking with support. Over time, they can walk, run, climb, and navigate varied environments confidently.
Object manipulation: Children start by reaching for objects, then progress to pushing, throwing, and carrying objects while walking. As they grow, they are able to throw and kick objects with accuracy.
Coordination of movements: Initially, children develop balance while sitting and standing. Later, they learn to coordinate multiple large muscle movements, enabling them to engage in activities such as swinging, catching, and organised physical games.

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills involve small muscle movements that enable children to perform precise tasks, such as speaking, writing, and using tools. Development occurs in stages:

Control of small muscles: Infants begin with involuntary finger movements before learning to grasp objects deliberately. Later, they refine their ability to manipulate objects using different grasping techniques.
Holding and manipulating objects: Children progress from a basic grasp to more refined movements, such as using a tripod grasp to hold drawing tools. With practice, they gain proficiency in using scissors, craft materials, and musical instruments.
Coordination of movements: As children grow, they acquire the skill to coordinate multiple small movements, such as threading beads, opening locks, and performing detailed actions like sculpting or pouring liquids.

Sensory Awareness

Sensory awareness allows children to perceive and process sensory information, essential for learning and exploration. Development stages include:

Using the five senses: Infants respond to sensory stimuli such as sights and sounds. Over time, children develop preferences and learn to describe their sensory experiences.
Maintaining balance: Balance starts with simple strategies like extending arms for support. Later, children learn to balance small objects, hop on one foot, and perform complex movements like crab-walking or playing hopscotch.
Coordinating body movements: Children develop awareness of how their body parts work together, improving their ability to coordinate movements in response to their environment, such as bending knees when landing or moving to a rhythm.

Physical Health and Self-Care

Physical health and self-care involve gaining independence in meeting basic needs such as rest, nutrition, and hygiene. Children can develop these skills through:

Balancing activity and rest: Children learn to communicate their need for movement or rest. As they mature, they develop routines and self-regulate their energy levels.
Healthy eating habits: Initially, children explore different foods and drinks. Later, they learn about healthy eating choices and make independent decisions regarding their nutrition.
Safety and hygiene: Young children depend on adults for their safety and hygiene. Over time, they develop independence in following health routines and assessing risks.

How to Support Children’s Physical Development

Supporting physical development involves intentional and structured activities to promote motor skills, sensory awareness, and self-care habits. Below are suggested physical activities that enhance child growth and development.

Develop Gross Motor Skills

Encouraging the development of gross motor skills helps children build strength, coordination, and confidence in their movements.

Create indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage movement through climbing, jumping, and stretching.
Incorporate movement into learning experiences, such as action songs and balance exercises.
Celebrate children’s physical efforts to foster confidence and motivation.

Enhance Fine Motor Skills

By refining fine motor skills, children gain better control over everyday tasks, from writing to dressing themselves.

Provide opportunities for small movement activities like grasping, pinching, and threading.
Incorporate hands-on learning experiences such as puzzles, building blocks, and arts and crafts.
Offer various tools, such as playdough, scissors, and writing instruments, to enhance dexterity and precision.

Cultivate Sensory Awareness

Engaging in sensory activities supports children’s cognitive, social, and motor skill development in children.

Introduce diverse sensory experiences, including different textures, colours, sounds, tastes, and smells.
Use descriptive language to help children articulate their sensory experiences.
Offer activities like sand and water play, cooking experiences, and musical exploration to stimulate different senses.

Boost Physical Health and Self-Care

Having the skills and habits to maintain physical well-being sets children up for success in learning and daily life.

Ensure children have balanced opportunities for rest and physical activity.
Make mealtimes engaging to encourage healthy eating habits.
Involve children in hygiene routines and teach them safety awareness through hands-on experiences.

At UNIS Hanoi, we cultivate a supportive environment for physical development in early childhood by integrating movement, sensory exploration, and self-care into our curriculum.

Guided by the principles of the Te Whāriki Curriculum, we recognise the potential in every child and provide a holistic educational experience that emphasises well-being, communication, and exploration. With 35 years of expertise in IB PYP Foundation Programs, our inquiry-based approach covers 4-6 units yearly, cultivating well-rounded growth in academic, social, emotional, physical, and cultural aspects.

With purpose-built learning spaces and a strong commitment to holistic education, we create an enriching environment where children thrive physically, socially, and academically.

Supporting Your Children’s Physical Development with UNIS Hanoi!

Supporting physical development in early childhood builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. By understanding key developmental stages and implementing strategies to enhance motor skills, sensory awareness, and self-care, parents and educators can provide the best possible start for young children.

At UNIS Hanoi, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes holistic growth, equipping children with the skills and confidence to explore the world. Apply to UNIS Hanoi today and become part of a community dedicated to education and child development!