Physical Development

Observation Summary Paper: Physical Development
~2 pages, type written, double spaced, standard 1” margins
In this paper, you will analyze the physical development of young children then write a
paper with the following sections:
● Section 1: Infant/Toddler
● Section 2: Preschool Age Child
● Section 3: Young School Age Child
● Section 4: Conclusion
1) Infant/Toddler
a) Introduce the child setting by providing the following details:
i) Describe the child.
(1) How old is the child?
(2) Describe the child’s physical appearance — hair, skin, facial features, body
type, and clothing.
ii) Describe the setting of the observation.
(1) Where did the observation take place?
(2) What furniture, materials, equipment were in the space?
(3) How was the furniture, materials and equipment positioned?
(4) Who was present?
b) Identify 2 to 3 gross motor skills and processes and 2 to 3 fine motor skills and
processes that you observed the child exhibit in the video. Clearly and objectively
describe the behavior you observed and the skills and processes it
demonstrates. (e.g. Jose caught then kicked a moving ball. This demonstrates
his balance, ball play skills, and kicking abilities).
c) Identify 2 to 3 Physical Well-Being, Healthy and Motor Development milestones
the child has mastered from the NY Early Learning Guidelines. Objectively
describe the behavior the child demonstrated that indicates the child has
mastered the milestones. NY Early Learning Guidelines:
https://www.ccf.ny.gov/files/7315/9112/1561/ELG-2020.pdf
2) Preschool Age Child
a) Introduce the child setting by providing the following details:
i) Describe the child.
(1) How old is the child?
(2) Describe the child’s physical appearance — hair, skin, facial features, body
type, and clothing.
ii) Describe the setting of the observation.
(1) Where did the observation take place?
(2) What furniture, materials, equipment were in the space?
(3) How was the furniture, materials and equipment positioned?
(4) Who was present?
b) Identify 2 to 3 gross motor skills and processes and 2 to 3 fine motor skills and
processes that you observed the child exhibit in the video. Clearly and objectively
describe the behavior you observed and the skills and processes it
demonstrates. (e.g. Jose caught then kicked a moving ball. This demonstrates
his balance, ball play skills, and kicking abilities).
c) Identify 2 to 3 Physical Well-Being, Healthy and Motor Development milestones
the child has mastered from the NY Early Learning Guidelines. Objectively
describe the behavior the child demonstrated that indicates the child has
mastered the milestones. NY Early Learning Guidelines:
https://www.ccf.ny.gov/files/7315/9112/1561/ELG-2020.pdf
3) Young School Age Child
a) Introduce the child setting by providing the following details:
i) Describe the child.
(1) How old is the child?
(2) Describe the child’s physical appearance — hair, skin, facial features, body
type, and clothing.
ii) Describe the setting of the observation.
(1) Where did the observation take place?
(2) What furniture, materials, equipment were in the space?
(3) How was the furniture, materials and equipment positioned?
(4) Who was present?
b) Identify 2 to 3 gross motor skills and processes and 2 to 3 fine motor skills and
processes that you observed the child exhibit in the video. Clearly and objectively
describe the behavior you observed and the skills and processes it
demonstrates. (e.g. Jose caught then kicked a moving ball. This demonstrates
his balance, ball play skills, and kicking abilities).
c) Identify 2 to 3 Physical Well-Being, Healthy and Motor Development milestones
the child has mastered from the NY Early Learning Guidelines. Objectively
describe the behavior the child demonstrated that indicates the child has
mastered the milestones. NY Early Learning Guidelines:
https://www.ccf.ny.gov/files/7315/9112/1561/ELG-2020.pdf
4) Conclusion
a) Answer the following questions in the final paragraph
i) What new insights do you have about young children and/or physical
development from the process of observing young children and analyzing
their physical development?
ii) What was the most interesting aspect of this assignment for you? Why?
Physical Skills & Processes
● Gross Motor (large muscle movement)
o Reflexive movements
o Lift head
o Lift chest
o Turn & roll over
o Sit
o Crawl
o Pull to stand
o Transitions (sit to crawl, sit to stand)
o Balance
o Walking
▪ Stand alone
▪ Cruise (walk holding furniture)
▪ Take a few steps
▪ Walk
o Run
o Climb
o Steps
▪ Creep on steps
▪ Both feet same step
▪ Alternating feet
▪ Hold railing
o Riding bike
▪ Push bike (feet propel)
▪ Tricycle
▪ Bike with training wheels
o Ball play
▪ Throwing
▪ Throw (goes anywhere)
▪ Throw with aim/ to target
o Catching
▪ Trap against chest
▪ Trap with arms
▪ Catch with hands
o Kicking
▪ Stopped ball
▪ Moving ball
▪ With aim/ to a target
● Fine Motor (small muscle movement)
o Reaching & grasping
▪ Reach for/ swat object
▪ Grasp objects
▪ Let go of objects
▪ Bang objects together
▪ Pass objects hand to hand
▪ Use hands independent of other
o Picking up small objects
▪ Grab small objects with whole hand
▪ Pinch small objects with thumb & index finger to pick-up
o Finger movements
▪ Poke with finger
▪ Use fingers independent of each other
▪ Turning pages of a book
o Writing
▪ Hold writing instrument
▪ With fisted grasp
▪ End/ top of crayon with whole hand
▪ Hold at bottom of crayon with 3 fingers (tripod grasp)
o Drawing
▪ Scribble off paper
▪ Scribble on paper
▪ Draw intentional picture, unrecognizable
▪ Draw picture with recognizable features
▪ Drawing with some letters accidentally
▪ Copy/ trace letters
▪ Form letters
▪ Inventive spelling
▪ Write sentences
o Hand-eye coordination (eyes perceive & hand carry out actions)
o Chewing
▪ Swallow food
▪ Chew up & down
▪ Move food inside of mouth with tongue