• Physical development is synonymous with motor development in young children. It proceeds from good control of the hands and fingers in infancy to coordinated movements of the entire body as a toddler.
  The first skill an infant tries to master is lifting his head and shoulders. Babies are born with little head or neck control. They acquire the skills with practice and begin to lift their heads by three months of age, along with their chest by four months. As the infant grows and gains strength, she can usually begin sitting by age 6 to 7 months and can play using their hands.
  One of the most important skills a baby learns is the ability to move from one place to another. Babies gain muscle strength and get on all fours (hands and feet), rock back and forth, creep along dragging their feet and then take off full force crawling. Crawling is a skill that happens between 8 to 9 months of age. By the time a baby reaches his first birthday, he begins to support large amounts of weight and pulls himself up to his feet standing. This is the beginning of walking.
  Babies do not start their walking milestone with perfect gait. There is much waddling, toe walking and even bowleggedness. The tendency for the baby's legs to bow out will usually correct itself by 3 years of age. Some babies become knock-kneed (inward tilt of the legs) and this should also correct by the age of 5. Parents are quite excited about their child's walking milestone; however, it should never be forced as walking skills are acquired.
  
  

• As children grow, they need to practice the many skills that lead to gross motor control by age 2. Outdoor activities that encourage walking, running, jumping, and throwing offer opportunities to improve their balance and coordination. Make sure the activities chosen are age appropriate so the little ones will not get frustrated.
  By the age of 3, most children get around easily and begin to hop, jump and climb. This is also the time when youngsters take interest in riding toys such as a tricycle.
  
  

Toilet Training is Developed

• Toilet training is part of physical development that is a major milestone. Using the toilet requires physical and mental skills. The child must be able to hold urine for a few hours as his bladder muscles are developing, and mentally he needs to differentiate the signs that he needs to use the toilet for relief. The process of toilet training is specific for each child and parents should never rush the process. Make this training a fun and growing experience as fears or dislikes of this task will indeed slow down the process of this developmental readiness. Successful toilet training usually takes place between the ages of 2 and 3 years. Night-time dryness comes later.