1.1 Describe the expected pattern of children and young people’s development from birth to 19 years.
Child development is a holistic process split into three main areas, communication and intellectual, physical, and social, emotional and behavioural.
Physical Development
Physical development is a crucial part of a child’s overall development; it takes place automatically as they grow up. Many of the skills will develop naturally, but it is important that each child gets plenty of opportunities and support to develop their skills in different ways. The two groups of physical skills a child needs to develop are gross motor skills, and fine motor skills.
Gross motor skills require the use of the larger muscles in the body, such as arms and legs. Examples would be throwing, walking, jumping and rolling. Fine motor skills use the smaller muscles, such as those in the fingers. Examples of this can be tying and untying shoe laces, doing the buttons on clothes, using eating utensils like knives and forks and being able to use a pencil. These skills are called milestones, and there is an expected pattern of development, but each child will learn and progress at different rates and in their own individual ways.
Age (years) Gross Motor Skills Fine Motor Skills
0-1 Brings feet to hands.
Can begin to sit steadily unsupported.
Can stand whilst holding onto furniture. Tries to reach for object.
Holds rattle momentarily.
Can clasp hands together.
1-2 Walks alone.
Picks up toys from floor without falling.
Moves to music. Scribbles on a piece of paper.
Builds towers of three small blocks.
Makes strokes with a paintbrush.
2-3 Kicks a ball forward.
Stands on one foot with help.
Jumps in place with two feet together. Turns single pages in a book.
Cuts with scissors.
Holds crayon with thumb and finger rather than fist.
3-5 Walks on a line.
Walks up and down the stairs independently.
Throws a ball