Anatomy For Children

Musculoskeletal System Lesson for Kids

See more anatomy systems at the bottom of this page.

The MatchCard Science Human Anatomy for children presents each organ system on a MatchCard. The lesson on the musculoskeletal system compares the biceps and triceps muscles. It also identifies the four types of joints in the human skeleton.

Free Download Below

Musculoskeletal Anatomy for Children

Objective: Explain how muscles and joints work together to allow the body to move.

MatchCard: Download below.

MatchCard Information Pieces list two muscles (biceps and triceps) and define their function. Information Pieces also define four types of joints (Ball and Socket; Sliding; Hinge; Hinge and Pivot), describe the motion, and list the number of directions of movement.

Download and Use the Musculoskeletal MatchCard

Human Anatomy for Children - Muscles and Joints

This is MatchCard #7 of the Human Anatomy Unit Study.

Let's Get Up In Arms

For our study of the musculoskeletal system, we will be studying the four joints of the arms, as well as the two major muscles. Students are most familiar with the movement of their arms as these are the joints most often moved voluntarily.

Use a plastic fashion doll with minimal arm movement (usually only two directions at the shoulders.) Play a simple game of catching a ball but restrict movement to two directions at the shoulder.

It's nice to have a fully functioning skeleton, isn't it? Students can review the major bones of the skeleton with the Skeleton MatchCard.

Four Types of Joints

This study of anatomy for children focuses on four different types of joints found in the human body. The arm and leg bones have similar joints.

Hinge Joint

The finger joints are hinge joints. They move in two directions.

Why are they called hinge joints?

Can you find any other joints in your anatomy that move in only two directions?
Hint: Knee joints

Hinge and Pivot Joint

Did anyone name the elbow as a hinge joint? The elbow actually is a hinge and pivot joint that moves in four directions.

The elbow allows the lower arm to twist back and forth. Try these activities with the radius and ulna to understand how this joint allows our skeleton to function.

Ball and Socket Joint

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint that allows the arm to move in 6 directions. Can the students show you the six different directions:

• Raise and lower your arm to the front and back
• Raise and lower your arm to the side and back
• Twist arm inward and outward

Have them circle their arms in several directions to get a feeling for how the ball and socket works.

Can you find any other ball and socket joints in your anatomy? (Answer: hips and thumb)

Sliding Joint

The wrist joint is a sliding joint. The wrist is composed of many small bones which slide over each other.

Muscles Move

Without muscles, our skeletons would never be able to move. The joints and muscles work together to enable us to function.

In this lesson of anatomy for children, the focus is on the biceps and triceps muscles.

Biceps

When someone wants to impress others with their big, strong muscles, they often bend their arm and flex the biceps muscle. Let others feel how strong and firm the flexed biceps muscle is.

What does the biceps muscle do? It allows a person to bend their arm.

Here is a way to demonstrate the biceps muscle at work. While someone is trying to bend their arm, hold their hand/arm firmly at the wrist and hand. Use your strength to try to prevent them from bending their arm. Be careful not to forcefully exert pressure which will bend the hand backwards.

While trying to bend their arm, the student will see the biceps muscle at work.

Triceps

The triceps muscle does the opposite of the biceps: it straightens the arm.

Now have the student try to straighten his or her arm while you try to stop it. If they put their other hand on their triceps muscle, they will feel it bulge.

Muscles work in pairs to allow the skeleton to work.

Arm Wrestling

An arm wrestling match can demonstrate the biceps and triceps muscles at work.

Human Anatomy For Children

Other MatchCards in anatomy for children include:

• Cells to Systems
  
• Digestive System.
  
• Teeth
  
• Respiratory System
  
• Circulation
  
• Skeleton
  
• Renal System
  
• Central Nervous System
  
• Human Eye.
  
• Human Ear
  
• Skin
  
• Endocrine and Reproductive