Physical Development - Fine Motor Skills and Gross Motor Skills

This is my observational report on our performance task in the EDUC 231 Child and Adolescent course conducted on a child with a chronological age of 4:2. This performance task aims to observe the physical development of a child about his/her fine motor skills and gross motor skills.

There are three (3) areas/domains of development but my performance task and the observational report will focus on the first areas/domain of development of a child.

Areas/Domains of Development

1. Physical
2. Cognitive
3. Socio-Emotional

Let’s first define the following words which will help us understand the performance task (PT).

• Physical Development
• Fine Motor Skills
• Gross Motor Skills

Physical Development

• Biological changes that occur in the body

Gross Motor

• Using large groups of muscles to sit, stand, walk, run, etc. (keeping balance and changing positions)

Fine Motor

• Using small muscles of the body to be able to eat, draw, dress, and write

Performance Task - Observational Report

Child’s Name: Miel Chronological Age: 4:2

Physical Development - Fine Motor Skills and Gross Motor Skills

Miel is doing essential developmental activities to refine her hand skills in preparation for school. She is developing her fine motor skills by holding a crayon and colored pen to draw basic circular shapes.

She loves coloring books and holding scissors to cut pictures in magazines.

Miel can copy some capital letters in books and can write the first letter of her name by imitating patterns.

She can also build 4-5 puzzles and make Lego structures.

Miel’s balance is also improving and her gross motor skills still get a workout through play and other outdoor activities. She can go upstairs and downstairs without the support of an elderly. She hops and stands on one foot for up to seven seconds. She can kick the ball forward and throws the ball overhand. She throws a ball at a distance of at least 3 yards. She can also catch a ball that has been bounced. She is good at walking, running, and jumping over obstacles when running. She is able to climb onto/down into furniture without the support of an elderly. She can also do skipping and leaping. She can jump forward 2 feet and can gallop 8 feet. Miel can also walk on tiptoes.

Self-Help/Functional Skills

Miel develops functional skills that are necessary for her physical development. She can use the bathroom independently. She can take a bath without supervision and she can dress and undress. She can also eat independently and can use a spoon and fork in eating. She is also in charge of her own toileting.

Miel's Skills Difficulties:

The child I observed has difficulties in the following skills:

• Pedaling a bicycle
• Climb playground ladders
• Put shoes on correct feet
• Copy letters G and Z

Recommendations:

With my foregoing reflection, the mother of Miel must give her lots of love and attention. She must interact with her child by talking, singing, playing, eating, and reading. From this, she can learn a lot about Miel's other interests and skills that need to be nurtured. As a mother, she can provide her child with a variety of assessment tools and strategies. Give Miel an appropriate activity to encourage development as well as experiences that allow her child to explore on her own and learn from interacting with the environment. Paces lessons appropriate to needs and/or difficulties of her child. She must limit TV time and video time to no more than 1-2 hours of educational viewing per day.