developmentalpsychology physical dev

7/27/2019 Developmentalpsychology Physical Dev

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Physicaldevelopment


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Predictable patterns of physicaldevelopment in childhood years

The first two years are times of rapid physicaldevelopment

In the early childhood (2-6 years) growth slows alittle but physical and cognitive capabilities arevery extended.

In the middle and late childhood (6-11) physicalgrowth slows down further in preparation for

puberty


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Individual variations Heredity Lifestyle factors (including socioeconomic

conditions) Nutrition


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Motor development

It is a lifelong process revealed principally through changes in movement behaviour infour phases:

Reflexive (foetus to 1) Rudimentary (birth to 2) fundamental (2 to 7) specialised (7 to puberty)three sets of skills develop: locomotion,

stability and manipulation.


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theories of motor

development Biological-maturation perspective: Views developmentas an internal process that is dictated by an individual's bodyclock.

Information-processing perspective: links motordevelopment with decision making. Ecological perspective: views development like the

process that makes movements automated.

Linking motor and cognitive performance:neurobiological evidence links motor and cognitiveperformance by associating motor development with the beginning of certain perceptual and cognitive capacities.


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Factors influencing motordevelopment Motor development follows a universal

sequence Cultural variations:

Genetic factors Customs and Different environments


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Some differences African and West Indian Cultures

Sitting and walking is very develop5 months difference with european babies

Jamaica

Formal handling: Massage and stretching exercises soon after birth to stimulate body and to prepare for those milestonesJamaican babies sit and walk earlier than European children

Paraguay Ache people of paraguay actively discourage their infants from crawling away from

their mothers.Cultural practices can slow down motor development

Motor development is determined by both maturationand the environmental factors.

"They will all get there in the end"


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The importance of play Environmental factors have a role to play in influencing

differences in motor development. Some studies tell us thatolder girls attitude towards sport can suffer if boys areallowed to join in with their sporting activities.

In order to motivate girls to participate in physical activities andsports, activities are oriented for both sexes separately. For girls-

"female-oriented" (activities such as dancing andgymnastics are included) and for boys- "male-oriented"(they play games such as rugby and soccer).


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Activities engaged in together that include funand variety promote positive attitudes and ahuge variety of physical skills.

Unfortunately in many modern societiesparents harbour concerns about children'ssafety when playing outdoors. But more and

more spaces do exist where children can play outdoor safely, they have a lot of space tomove with a range of equipment thatchallenge growing bodies to climb, roll,swing, balance etc.,


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CONTROVERSY Is outdoor play devalued in primary education practice?

In the UK in the last 25 years we have seen a decline in the emphasisplaced upon learning and physical play.

Factors:

1. Focus on childrens literacy and numeracy development.2. Narrowed view of the purposes of education.3. Adoption of a model that valued classroom learning instead of outdoors

learning.

According to Geva Blenkin and Marian Whitehead: "the most

misunderstood dimension dimension of the planned curriculum is thecreation of an environment in which education is to take place".


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Outdoor learning

With these new evidences, the UK has seen arevival in outdoor play practice and now many young children receive regular access tothe outdoor environment.

However that happens only with children under

5 years old, not with older children.


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Influence of PE and sport

PE provides many opportunities for children todevelop motor skills and sport coaches areimportant socialising agents for children.

The school is the main institution in society forthe development of skills and physicalactivity.

Many studies have shown that sport influencedfive main areas of education:

Physical, affective, lifestyle, special and

cognitive development.


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Influence of PE and sport

However the status of school sport has declinedand PE and sport are marginalised in theschool curriculum.


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Theory in actionThe SpinED project: This investigation has been developed to show

the benefits of PE and sport on children.Over 50 countries worldwide participate in the research:

Asia: sumo lessons were seen to assist students social development by promoting courtesy and good manners and an awareness.

Europe: observation of fundamental motor skills provided feedback toteachers on movement development.

Australia: participation in school sport programs recorded significantimprovements in retention and self-esteem for "at risk" students.

Responses provided empirical data on how PE and school sportpositively influenced students' social behaviours, self-esteem,academic performance and body awareness.


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Theory in actionMain practical points:

School is the main environment for being physically active.

The health benefits of regular physical activity are wellestablished. There is a favourable relationship between physical

activity and a host of factors affecting childrens physical

health. Those who have a strong foundation in fundamentalmovement skills are more likely to be active, bothduring childhood and later in life.

developmentalpsychology physical dev

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