Physical activity for children

Physical Activity for Children This essay will explore the areas of children’s development. The age groups which will be discussed within it are children from the ages of two too six years of age and children from the age of six too eleven years of age. The areas of development which will be covered are physical, intellectual, skill and psychological. The author will then conclude by making reference to the effect on physical activity for children and why it can influence them for the rest of their lives.
Physical development
Children between two and six years have slow and steady gains in height and weight, especially in the legs which account for 66% of their total increase in height. Females tend to have growth spurts two years before males, but when males have spurts they have them for a longer period of time developing heavier bones and stringier muscles as well. Between the ages of six and eleven the average children’s legs continue to grow very quickly while the head will be disproportionately large, the bones also tend to increase in length and density, gradually as they grow towards adolescence.
Intellectual development
Children between the ages of two and six years tend to be egocentric and selfish and don’t consider other people’s feelings. They also tend to do something quickly even if it involves hurting another child’s feelings, they will not consider the consequences until after they have done it. At this age children also find it difficult to learn from experience so they could make the same mistakes over and over again. Time and place could also be a confusion at this age and not having a complete understanding of your surroundings. From the ages of six to eleven the child can start to learn from experience although, they still have a tendency to do something without thinking about it. When the child reaches about seven or eight years they will start to understand that time goes by at a uniform speed and can perhaps arrange plans from day to day, but the past and the future still remain a mystery to them.
Skill development
Skill development in a child between the age of two and six is very basic, the early on stage of the physical development, This is when they will be learning skills like running, jumping, balancing and throwing. Girls tend to have more skill when it comes to co-ordination, things like hopping and skipping but boys are usually better when it comes to running, jumping or throwing, which is why boys mostly play sports like football and rugby and girls are mostly into gymnastics and dancing. From the ages of six to eleven years children’s ball skills can also be developed, this could involve dribbling the ball using their feet or catching it with their hands. It is in this age group that the child will play different kinds of sports and will eventually decide what sport they are suited to.
Psychological development
The psychological development in a child between two and six years old includes them imitating other children, if another child does something they will feel that they have to do it as well. Other children also start to become more important to them as they will form groups, they will also compare each mostly to see who the best is. They also still have to be told what to do at this age. From the age of six to eleven friends start to become a lot more important and can play a crucial role within their lives influencing their attitudes, beliefs and behaviour, they may also want to take part in a certain sport or activity just because their friend does it. In this age group they will also start listening to other people’s points of view and decide whether they agree with it or not. They will also start to understand working as part of a team and how it is important when difficult situations may occur within their life. Douglas P (2013) states that “exercise is paramount in the development of today’s children” This true statement emphasises that children can use physical activity to develop each of the areas, physical, intellectual, physiological and skill level, giving them a better way of life. This will also keep them fit and healthy decreasing the risk of things like illnesses or obesity.