Big Body Movement is an Important Part of Learning!

October 12, 2018

Moving the body and using large muscle groups are crucial to a young child’s learning process. It’s important that young children move, run, jump, play,
and get plenty of exercise every day in order to develop their large motor skills. And not only is this important for preventing obesity, but physical
development is also closely linked with children’s language, social, and emotional development.

As a parent or caregiver, it’s important to be familiar with child development to help your child reach his or her fullest potential. Check out the table
at the end of this article for large-movement milestones to watch for at every stage, and use these fun ideas below to support your child’s physical
development:

  • Provide supervised “tummy time” for infants while awake
  • Play a game of catch or roll a ball along the ground
  • Visit a playground
  • Create an obstacle course indoors or outside

2 months:

  • Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy

4 months:

  • Holds head steady, unsupported
  • Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface

6 months:

  • Rolls over in both directions
  • Begins to sit without support

9 months:

  • Stands while holding on
  • Sits without support
  • Crawls

1 year:

  • Gets to a sitting position without help
  • Pulls up to stand, and may stand alone
  • Walks while holding on

18 months:

  • Walks alone
  • Pulls toys while walking
  • Climbs up and down on furniture

2 years:

  • Stands on tiptoe
  • Kicks a ball
  • Begins to run

3 years:

  • Climbs well
  • Pedals a tricycle (3-wheel bike)
  • Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step

4 years:

  • Hops and stands on one foot up to 2 seconds
  • Catch a bounced ball most of the time

5 years:

  • Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
  • Hops; may be able to skip
  • Can use the toilet on his/her own

 

Back to view all blog posts