On the Move
Ever spend a day with an active toddler who seemed to have an insatiable urge to climb on everything? You’re often left wondering if the child has any fear! Or maybe you’ve cared for a baby who is learning how to stand? If so, you might have noticed how she pulls up on every piece of nearby furniture (or nearby hand or leg!), and does a happy dance when she successfully pulls herself up!
Movement and development of motor skills are huge parts of physical development in the first few years of a child’s life — and we should encourage it. Their little muscles are growing stronger everyday, and as a child care provider you have the privilege of watching it happen! You get to cheer when they roll over, crawl, pull up, and take their wobbly first steps. You also get to give them hugs and comfort when they fall down, as they’re still learning and often need the extra support and praise! When caring for children, it’s important to remember that being present to help children up when they stumble is just as important as encouraging their success, and there’s really nothing more special than being able to take part in a time of such growth!
Developing Motor Skills
So what is happening in those little bodies as they’re learning to move about? All of these changes and transitions are milestones in children’s physical development. The strengthening of muscles, large and small, can be broken down into two categories: fine motor skills; and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are movements using smaller muscles, such as holding a crayon or picking up and eating cheerios. Gross motor skills are bigger movements using larger muscles like arms and legs, such as running and reaching arms up high.
Physical Development through the Ages
When spending time with children of different ages, you are able to witness and take part in their achievement of various developmental milestones.
During the first few months of the infant year, babies can lift and turn their heads, using muscles in their necks. They also learn to stretch out their arms and legs, and open and close hands to grab objects that are in their field of reach. As infants approach six months, they begin to move about! You will notice their trying to roll from tummy to back and then on to their backs again! They also will start to strengthen muscles in their necks, abdomen, and back that will help to support them as they learn to sit upright.
As children approach their first birthdays, they will start to stand on their own and take their first steps. As they move into their toddler and preschool years, things start to really get active! Children will take on new challenges like running, jumping, climbing, and hopping. They test limits by seeing how fast they can ride their bikes and how high they can jump on a trampoline. It really is incredible to see how much change happens within the first few years.
Children’s bodies are always growing stronger as they strengthen their muscles and begin to discover new ways to move their bodies.
Supporting and Encouraging
With so many changes and transitions happening every day, it is our job as child care providers to support the development of these muscles. And how do we do this? We support their play! Children are naturally inquisitive and active. They love to try new things with their newly discovered physical abilities, and find new ways to move and use their bodies to explore the world. Children tend to get excited about getting outside, dancing, playing, and moving, and especially love when we join in on these activities with them. They enjoy pushing boundaries and testing new ideas without inhibition. As Dotson-Renta points out, they learn by trial-and-error, and discover both their body’s limits and potential. When we support their bravery and encourage their natural inclination towards risk-taking, we are supporting their physical development.
As a child care provider, there really is nothing more rewarding than being able to observe the rapid growth that happens with children each day. You might regularly care for a child, and then go a few days (or weeks!) without seeing each other. When you meet again, they’ll have grown taller, stronger, and will be happy to share with you the new things they have learned how to do. Remember to acknowledge these changes, as it is no easy feat for children to achieve each milestone! Talk with them about their new discoveries, encourage them to be proud of their hard work, and remember to enjoy these special moments.
