Physical development

The term “physical development” describes how the body grows and matures, including how muscles, bones, and motor skills develop.

newborn stage

initially, your newborn’s movements may likely be jerky. However, most newborns begin to control their movements during the next two months. During this stage, your newborn’s neck will also strengthen. Your infant should be able to hold their head up by themselves by the time they are two months old.

Physical Growth

Head circumference grows by an average of 2 centimeters per month for the first three months of life and 1 centimeter per month for the next three to six months. The head circumference grows by 0.5 millimeters every month between the ages of six and twelve months. The typical growth in head circumference during the first year of life is 12 centimeters. After one year, the head circumference only increases by one centimeter every six months until the child is three years old, and then only by one centimeter annually between the ages of three and five. 

Growth in body/weight

According to the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group (2006), a newborn’s average length is 19.5 inches, which rises to 29.5 inches by 12 months and 34.4 inches by 2 years. At 12 months (one year old), the average length usually falls between 28.5 and 30.5 inches. At 24 months (two years old), the average length is between 33.2 and 35.4 inches (CDC, 2010). Males grow quickly in both height and length from birth to 24 months of age, as seen in Figure 2.3.1.

Length/height

Infant and toddler length/height can vary, but a length/height too low can be a worrisome sign of stunted growth. Stunted growth is characterized by a height of more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organization