Young children develop rapidly, but they
still need the same protective care and unconditional affection as the
babe-in-arms.
Young bodies are supple and full
of life, and children express vitality with their entire selves,
exploring abilities with great courage and adventure. But if not
encouraged to test their full range of movements when young, they may
never reach their full natural physical potential.
One precious gift from parent to child is physical
games, especially those involving imagination. All children love stories
and love to join in, responding willingly to fun and exercise through
imaginative play.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 3 weeks - 1 year
Phase One: From a Few Weeks to Three Months
A new born baby has just spent a number of weeks in a tight foetal
position in a confined liquid environment. When born she then has to
deal with an unconfined, airy environment and the full force of gravity.
To begin with, a baby's arms and legs are bent and held close to her and
she possesses very little resistance to gravity. Her first steps in
dealing with her new situation are to unfold her body gradually and gain
control of her head. By the end of three months while lying on her back,
a child can fully extend her arms and legs; on her front, she can hold
her chin and shoulders off the floor bearing her weight on her forearms
with hips and legs extended: when held in a sitting position she holds
her head and back straight, except for the lower back; and when held
standing she holds her head and begins to bear weight on bent legs.
Ease and confidence when handling your baby is
established by first getting to know your child's structure, feeling his
muscles and bones and the way in which he can be held and moved
supportively and comfortably.
Remember when holding and positioning your child that
his head and spine need to be supported and you must be relaxed and at
ease.
A secure way of holding your child is to use the palm
and extended fingers of one hand to support the back of your baby's
head, while the palm and fingers of your other hand are spread around
her or his hips and along his spine.
Lying on her or his back
A newborn lies on her back with her arms and legs
bent and held close to her trunk, her head turned to one side, with hips
slightly opened and knees slightly parted. Involuntary extension and
stretching begins in a baby's newborn period. Lying awake a baby is
constantly moving her hands, arms and legs, at time extending and
stretching. At other times she makes identical spontaneous arm and leg
movements from both sides of her body. This sometimes included holding
out her arms and turning her hands. If she is disturbed by sudden sounds
she will arch her back and extend her arms and fingers before bringing
them back across her chest.
After one month, a baby lies comfortably on his
back with his head to one side and his arms bent, his knees apart and
feet turned inwards. His movements are jerky and his arms are more
active than his legs.
After two months, when lying on her back her arm
and leg movements become more active and less jerky.
Lying on her or his Front
When a newborn is placed on his front he lies
with his head turned to one side and his pelvis raised with his
knees drawn up under his belly.
By the age of one month, in the same position,
she momentarily lifts her chin from the floor. Her knees are now not
drawn up beneath her as much as before and she kicks her legs,
instinctively extending and stretching them.
By two months your child no longer kneels for his
legs are partly extended or straightened.
At thee months, lying on her front, she holds her head
and shoulders off the floor for a long time, bearing her weight in her
forearms with hips and legs fully extended and stretched.
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Birth to Childhood 
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