What Does Physical Development Mean

Physical development is the way in which the body grows, changes and develops. This is not only the changes which occur in childhood but also the ongoing changes which are experienced by the body throughout life (although obviously the most significant changes happen in the first few years of life). In young children there are obvious milestones which are jubilantly noted by excited parents as well as health workers to ensure the child's development is following the usual trends.

So what kinds of changes are classed as physical development? Here are a few examples to help you understand what the term covers:

- Learning to walk - this requires development of the bone and muscle structures in the legs and lower body as well as the coordination and balance skills developed through the central nervous system.
- Grasping - this is one of the first developments in a baby. Parents often find the most amazing feeling is when their child learns to grasp their finger with their tiny hands as this is one of the first real things a child can do.
- Teeth growing - This is one of the most obvious, and probably traumatizing, physical developments for children. Teeth will start to appear between one and two years of age.
- Muscle growth - this contributes to a number of the developments of the body for example sitting up

These are some examples of physical developments but are by no way an exhaustive list as physical developments continue all through life and incorporate many more aspects.

Physical development means how a child can gain skills and to be able to control there body movement. It also means practical development such as being able to sit up, crawl, walk, jump, and others.
This will also include hands, eyes co- ordination, colouring and drawing