III.2. Young child

According to Meinel (1977), achieving results is less typical at this age. The initial imitative learning is replaced by independent, creative learning.  At this age strength development is not applied, speed and endurance growth are in the foreground.  This is the best period to emphasize and develop motor skills.

Between 7 and 10 years of age is the stage characterized by rapid development of motor skills. During this period several new motor skills are learned, and included among these are the basic gross motor skills of several new sports. The pursuit of performance results is less typical. The speed and endurance develop considerably. The difference in joint mobility varies greatly amongst individuals.

The most intense phase of learning gross motor skills occurs between the ages of 9/10 and 11/12 for girls and between 9/10 and 12/13 years for boys. The learning of new motor skills continues. The individual characteristics of movements and gender specific differences amplify.  This is one of the most favourable times in childhood for learning motor skills. The structure of motor skills begins.

Summary of age characteristics:

• Intense need for movement;
• Developing motor skills through play;
• Rapid development and easily learned  gross motor skills; 
• Improvement in the accuracy of movement and rhythm;
• Differentiate the typical skills in sports such as running, jumping, throwing;
• Implementation of new motor skills is still uncertain, measurable results vary;
• Speed and endurance greatly improve;
• Development in strength versus developing strength;
• The difference in performance becomes more pronounced between sexes, the girls are lagging behind the boys in endurance;
• The best age for motor skill development, so it is important to provide ample opportunities for children to learn and practice new skills;
• While running is the most favoured form of exercise and is carried out harmoniously at medium speed, throwing and jumping are also typical activities at this age;
• Later, movement becomes more coordinated at higher speeds. Failure to develop coordination skills is irrevocable;
• Early in life the structural factors are not yet permanent but later they can be well developed with enough practice and the difference between sexes is not so pronounced;
• Small children require a lot of physical activity, which can cause behavioral problems if they do not get enough. We must try to identify and properly manage this need for physical activity with a wide variety of options;
• Potential to learn new skills through diverse sporting activities should be encouraged. Focusing solely on a particular activity or skill should be avoided.

Basic exercises for this age group:

• Learning and developing new motor skills should be accomplished mostly through play;
• Running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking etc.
• Catching, dodge ball, hopscotch, races competitions etc.