Development is essential for a child’s growth. As young children grow, they develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. Optimum opportunities and stimulation needs to be provided to the child for their holistic development.

Physical Development includes everything to do with the body. Children actively explore the world around them. They walk, run, jump, climb and involve themselves in a range of such activities. They gradually become more confident about using their bodies. There is a significant growth in body size and improvement in muscle coordination. Rapid physical development takes place during the early years. At the same time the health of the child is important. Health, nutrition and Physical development go hand in hand. Helping children grow physically strong is only possible when a child’s health and nutritional needs are taken care of. All of this is an important part of young children’s healthy development.

Tips and activities to promote Physical Development in Children

• Create and maintain a healthy and a safe environment.
• Provide for proper nutrition and health care facilities to the child.
• Plan activities for fine motor development. Fine motor activities include manipulating play dough, crumpling old news papers, buttoning and unbuttoning clothes, stringing beads, using lacing boards, engaging in finger plays such as ‘Incy wincy spider’, ‘Where is Thumbkin’ etc.
• Provide opportunities for large motor development. Involve children in activities such as crawling, hopping, running. Plan for obstacle races, bicycle rides, ball games, sports, balancing on boards etc.
• Plan for activities that are developmentally appropriate, that take into account the age of the child.
• Establish healthy routines for play, activity, rest and sleep.
• Encourage the child to independently explore and discover the environment around them.
• Be active yourself and your child will follow your lead. Make time to do active things with your child like throwing a ball or other sports.
• Involve your child in daily chores around the house, such as gardening and cleaning. These activities keep everyone physically active.
• Encourage him / her to take up an organized sport or group lessons in swimming or dancing
• Limit TV time. Keep an eye on the amount of time your child spends watching TV or using the computer. Encourage them to be physically active.
• Incorporate activity into your child's routine by taking regular walks, may be to the park
• Offer positive feedback and support when certain activities seem difficult for the child.

Allow the children to play and explore the world around them. The more opportunities children have to strengthen themselves through a variety of physical activities, the better prepared they will be to learn once they grow older.