Physical Child Abuse:

Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.

It can also result from severe discipline, such as physical punishment that is inappropriate to the child’s age or physical condition.

Many physically abusive parents and caregivers insist that their actions are simply forms of discipline or ways to make children learn to behave. The difference between using physical punishment to discipline and physical abuse is that the point of disciplining children is to teach them right from wrong, not to make them live in fear.

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Warning signs of physical abuse in children

• Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.
• Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen.
• Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt.
• Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.
• Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days.

Source:
"Child Abuse & Neglect: Recognizing and Preventing Child Abuse." Helpguide.org: Expert, Ad-free Articles Help Empower You with Knowledge, Support & Hope. Web. 20 Mar. 2011.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm