Nisha Rani

Student ID- NISN050394

Child development 0 -5 years

Week 2: Physical development

Assignment 2

Read the following three scenarios that highlight some characteristics and
behaviors of young infants, mobile infants and toddlers when considering
physical development, specifically gross- and fine-motor skills. After reading
the scenarios, consider all you have learned throughout this lesson. Which
characteristics or behaviors would be considered fine-motor skills and which
would be considered gross-motor skills? Write these down and then think
about possible ways you could support each of these young children.

Young infant (birth to 8 months)

Bobby’s caregiver knows it is important to give him time on his tummy when
he is awake. Bobby is four months old. “Tummy time” will help him strengthen
his muscles and learn to raise his head and body with his arms to look
around. Sometimes his caregiver uses a supportive pillow to put under
Bobby’s arms and chest to help support his body so that he can look around
and reach for a toy while he is on his tummy.

1. Which characteristics or behaviors would be considered fine-motor

skills and which are gross-motor skills?

Ans: Characteristics of fine- motor skills at the age level of birth to 8 months are below

 The child tries to open and shut the hands

 Brings hands to mouth
 Transfer objects from one hand to the another
 Observe the position of hands
 Prop himself up with the help of arms when laying on his tummy
 Grab the objects which are near by the child

Characteristics of gross- motor skills at the age level of birth to 8 months are below

 Raises head and chest when on stomach

 Try to play with feet and bring them to mouth when on back
 While giving the support, the child does efforts to sit
 Rolls both ways and try to stand while putting pressure on feet
  

2. What can you do to further support physical development?

Ans-The necessary steps for the further physical progression of fine and gross motor
skills will be taken by me as a caregiver as, need to practice the skills plays significant
role in this direction. For instance, the space will be provided to stretch and move arms
and legs, time will be given to spend on tummy while awaking the child which ensures
to strengthen the back and neck muscles. Even, the supervision is mandatory during
this process also the time provides for the activities need to be schedule because
sometimes the child may get frustrated in the same position along with this, encourage
the development of hand- eye coordination by letting infant for favourite toys while
siting in lap or by letting body swipe at colourful objects which will be in front of the
child. The noises of background music or shake a rattle to entice child to look them
around, place attractive toy in front of child stimulates to move forward. With the
exercise of muscles and masters in skills determined the next stage development.

Mobile infant (8-18 months)

Ms. Kendra is caring for twins and is excited to see which of the 13-month-old
twins will walk first. Carrie was quite eager to crawl and enjoys moving around
the room to explore. Cindy was more content to sit and play with her toys and
started to crawl after Carrie learned. Both girls are pulling themselves up in
their cribs. Ms. Kendra is thinking even more about safety in the classroom as
she prepares for the new walkers.

1. Which characteristics or behaviors would be considered fine-motor

skills and which are gross-motor skills?

Ans- The characteristics or behaviours of fine-motor skills in between (8-18 months)

are following

 Point to picture in books

 Able to build the tower while using two blocks
 Using hands together to hold a toy at the middle of her body
 Try to hold the cup and drink with some spilling
 Remove own socks and put hat on head with efforts
 Point with pointer finger

Features of gross-motor skills at the age level (8-18 months)

 Sit without support, pull self- up to stand

 Hold the furniture and taking steps
 May stand without support and move forward just few steps
 Carries a toy while walking
 2. What can you do to further support physical development?

Ans-After grabbing the knowledge about the characteristics of fine and gross motor
skills at the age level (8-18) months, the steps will be taken by me as a caregiver are,
the introduction of safe area for practicing where the activities of wandering the child
to explore the surroundings, the toys which may become barrier in the development
must be restricted to use for instance, strollers and cribs, encourage the child to walk
with the support of furniture but keep in mind that the furniture might be without sharp
edges as safety of the child is the first priority of caregiver or hold the hand of child
while the child practicing for walking also, the baby hold the bar for support and try to
push the toy to move forward. To supervise and engaging self during the activities
assures development of the child with safety.

Toddler (18-36 months)
Kevin was born six weeks premature and at 25 months of age, he shows
some delays in motor development. Kevin works with specialists and Mr.
Chapman is his primary caregiver at the center. Mr. Chapman communicates
often with Kevin’s family. Kevin enjoys sitting in the library area and playing
with puzzles that have large knobs. He works hard at turning and pushing the
pieces into place. Kevin claps along with Mr. Chapman to show his delight at
completing a puzzle.

1. Which characteristics or behaviors would be considered fine-motor

skills and which are gross-motor skills?

Ans- The characteristics of fine- motor skills at the age of (18-36 months)

 The child builds tower with 4 to 6 blocks

 Throw small ball and turn book pages
 Feed herself with the help of spoon or fork
 Hold a crayon with fingers, usually with hand at the top of the crayon
 Draw straight lines and circles
 Cut piece of paper
 Put on some items of clothing with supervision
 Use one hand more to complete the tasks instead of other

The characteristics of gross-motor skills at the age of (18-36)

 Carries large toy or several toys while walking

 Able to run, jump and kick a ball
 Climbs on to and down from furniture
 With the support, walks up and down stairs

 
2. What can you do to further support physical development?

Ans- At the age level of (18-36) months, I will support the child by pursuing various
kinds of activities which enable the child to develop fine and gross motor skills-

 Hold the child hand going up and down stairs to ensure the safety
 Encourage the child to use railing while doing practice of walking
 Provide the chance to visit parks, playgrounds and introduce large playing area
at home to move freely and explore around world
 Give the opportunity to dance even self participation while conducting these
activities also playing games with the child like freeze
 Teach the child to pump the legs appropriately while on a swing
 Give the child crayons, markers and variety of playing material
 When outdoor, have your children run between you and another supporter
even counts the steps taken by the child