ABSTRACT
Young children's daily schedules change, they typically spend less time at home, and their peer group becomes increasingly important. The bodies of young children grow and change in significant ways during the primary school years. Although observable changes in growth may be less dramatic during the primary grades than in younger years, the impact on overall development is substantial. Gender becomes an important factor in the choice of play partners and knowledge of self during the primary years. By the end of the primary years, children are taking an interest in their own bodies and the long-term impact of health practices. Physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, chronic illnesses, and sensory impairments can limit children's capacities for mastering more complex and precise movement skills in primary school. In kindergarten and particularly in the primary grades, self-concept and self-esteem are intimately related to children's views of their competence in new academic and social settings.
