Physical development refers to the progressive changes that occur both externally and internally from birth to adulthood. It involves changes in gross physical structure and internal organs. Physical development is very rapid during infancy but slows during periods of fixation from ages 3-6 and 7-9. Adolescence from ages 10-13 and the first three years of teens is also a period of rapid growth. Physical development is influenced by heredity, nutrition, immunization, ventilation, endocrine glands, prenatal health, family, sex differences, intelligence, and socioeconomic status. Understanding physical development helps teachers tailor educational experiences and expectations to a child's developmental level.

2. What is Physical Development?
• Refers to a process which brings progressive
changes in the external as well as internal
organs.
• The physical growth from birth to adulthood.

4. • The physical changes occurs in the following
dimensions
i. Change in gross physical structure
ii. Change in internal organs

5. Characteristics of Physical Development
• Physical development is very rapid during infancy (0-
2 years).
• Period of pre-childhood (3-6 years) is a period
fixation .
• Middle childhood (7-9 years) shows again period
growth and development.
• Later childhood (10-13 years) is again a period of
fixation.

6. • Early adolescence (first three years) is again a period
of rapid growth and development.
• Early adolescence is followed by a period of slow
growth.
• Physical growth ceases by the attainment of maturity.

7. Factors Influencing Physical Development
 Heredity
Development depends upon the potentials
that child gets from his parents .
 Nutrition
The nutrition that child gets before birth or
after birth affects his development.
 Immunization at proper time save the child from
diseases
This helps the child to grow properly.

8. Proper ventilation
Sunlight and pure air helps in good body
development.
Endocrine gland
Hormones help in the development of the
child.
Prenatal period
Health of the mother, her nutrition,
immunization, her mental state affect the baby in the
womb

9.  Family
Family where the develop­ment of the baby takes
place directly affects the development of the child .
 Sex difference
At the time of birth the rate of physical
development is more but it is different in boys and girls.

10. Intelligence
It has been seen that intelligence affects the
physical deveopment
Socio­economic status
Socio­economic status of children affects
the all round development of the child

11. Educational Significance of Physical
Development
• Physical development influences the total make­up of an
individual.
• Balanced functioning of the body system depends on the
balanced physical growth and development.
• Knowledge of the process of physical growth and
development helps the teacher to achieve the educational
process

12. • Body system decides the interest, attitude and the total
behaviour of an individual.
• Study of the pattern of physical growth and development
helps the teacher from knowing what can be expected
from the child at a particular age level.
• It can help the teacher to arrange the school programs.

13. Thank you