Parental Support of Early Physical Development
In this unit, you will learn about physical development in infancy/toddlerhood and early childhood. The physical development changes we see during these age periods are remarkable and adult encouragement can help promote some of the motor skill development that occurs during this time. One thing to keep in mind regarding physical development is that we see vast individual differences in reaching many of the physical development milestones. The focus of this discussion is on early physical development milestones and the role that parents can play in supporting this development.
Please read the below scenario and respond to the questions that follow:
Imagine that you are a psychology professional working with first-time parents, Mark and Nicole, and you are providing these parents with information on infant and early childhood physical development. Their son, David, is an 11-month-old infant who can crawl and stand up holding onto something. He can build a tower of two cubes, and he can scribble vigorously.
- How do David’s motor skills compare to the gross- and fine-motor skill milestones described in Chapter 5 of your textbook? Should Mark and Nicole be concerned if David does not reach the milestones at the average age listed in the table? Why or why not?
- In providing advice to Mark and Nicole, what are some everyday experiences they can provide for 11-month-old David to support mastery of stepping and walking?
Many Western parents provide preschoolers with early training in gymnastics, tumbling, dance, soccer, and other movement skills through organized classes (Berk, 2022). David is now three years old, and Mark and Nicole want to do everything they can to support David’s athletic development.
- What advice would you give Mark and Nicole regarding the athletic development support they can provide David? Should they sign him up for an organized athletic class? Why or why not?
