COURSE OVERVIEW:

Physical development is an important area of child development that includes children’s physical growth, as well as their increasing ability to control the muscles of their bodies. Children’s physical development follows a predictable pattern, but each child grows at his or her own rate. Active play helps children develop their motor skills. Child care programs can support children’s physical development by providing safe surroundings, good nutrition and plenty of time for active play and exploration.

Children tend to be more active when they are outdoors rather than when they are indoors. While they do seem to be engage in various physical activities indoors as well, they are mostly light-intensity activities.

It is during early childhood that children are more willing to try new activities. Physical activities promote healthy growth and development. It helps build a healthier body composition, stronger bones and muscles. It also improves the child’s cardiovascular fitness. Physical activities help in the development of better motor skills and in concentration and thinking skills.

Physical activities should be integrated into young children’s lives to create a foundation of movement and activity which will be carried with them throughout the rest of their lives. Children who have higher levels of physical activity during their childhood are likely to be more active even after they mature. This is important for better health and well-being.

Physical activities from a young age have various benefits which reach far beyond only physical development. A child can physically, mentally, socially and emotionally develop by taking part in physical activities. The increasing use of technology and classrooms and day cares focusing on mental activities rather than physical activities have led to the reduction of children’s movement and physical activity.

A lack of physical activity in early childhood could bring many health problems. A few of such problems could be excess body fat, weight gain, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases and bone health problems. The health benefits of physical activities outweigh the negatives. Children who do take part in physical activities tend to have fewer chronic health problems. They are less prone to getting sick. They have a significantly reduced risk for various diseases which also includes heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, depression and mental illness.

The first part of this course is about the ways in which young children progress in their physical skills. It starts with explaining the importance of physical skills and activity for children’s learning and well-being. Then discusses the ways in which children develop physically during the early years. Then explains the importance of physical skills and activity for children’s learning and well-being.

The second part is about the learning opportunities through physical activities and the many possibilities for children to use their physical abilities within an environment that is interesting and safe. It begins by providing a wide range of learning opportunities for physical development. Then discusses the importance of outdoor play and the opportunities of an outdoor curriculum. Also, explains how children’s attention control develops and what may be genuine problems in this area.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

• The importance of childhood physical development and skills
• Children’s physical development and well-being
• The importance of physical activity
• The risks of inactivity
• The mental and emotional fitness of children
• How children learn through hands-on experience?
• How physical development supports intellectual development?
• The physical development from baby to child
• The development of physical skills
• The developmental milestones
• The senses and physical control of babies up to one-year-old
• The movements of toddlers from one to two years
• How toddlers’ fine physical skills are directly applied to support other aspects of their development?
• The movements of young children from two to five years
• The movements of children from five to eight years
• The physical skills, exploration and learning of children
• How children gain balance?
• How children judge their physical movements?
• The limitations of bodily awareness in children
• What is the idea of schemas?
• The right and left handed children
• The impact of disability and ill health
• What is dyspraxia?
• The learning opportunities through physical activities
• The learning within physical development
• The appropriate activities for under threes
• The recommended play materials for babies
• The importance of providing space for babies and toddlers to move around
• What is ‘early learning’?
• The importance of exploratory play
• How children learn with the treasure basket and heuristic play?
• The appropriate physical play and activities for over threes
• The importance of music and dance and constructional play
• How children can help out in the daily routine of your setting?
• How toddlers and young children can benefit from hands-on arts and crafts activities?
• The importance of outdoor play
• Ideas for using the outdoors
• Why you should not use weather as an excuse to restrict children’s outdoor play?
• The relationship between activities and children’s attention
• The development of attention in children
• The attention deficit disorder
• The other causes of attention difficulties

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.