Moving

What is typical?

All children develop at their own pace, some slower than others. Fundamental movement skills include:

1. Balance skills — Movements where the body remains in place, but moves around its horizontal and vertical axis.
2. Locomotor skills — such as running, jumping, hopping, and galloping.
3. Ball skills — such as catching, throwing, kicking, underarm roll and striking.

Some typical movement miles stones include: 0-6 months

• Rolls over front to back and back to front
• Sits with support and then independently

 6-12 months

• Crawls forwards on belly
• Assumes a seated position unaided
• Creeps on hands and knees
• Transitions into different positions: sitting, all-fours, lying on tummy
• Pulls self to stand
• Walks while holding onto furniture
• Takes two-three steps without support
• Rolls a ball in imitation of an adult

18 months

• Sits, crawls, walks
• Still has wide gait but walking/running is less clumsy
• Pushes against a ball (does not actually kick it)

2 years

• Walks smoothly and turns corners
• Begins running
• Is able to pull or carry a toy while walking
• Climbs onto/down from furniture without assistance
• Walks up and down steps with support
• Picks up toys from the floor without falling over

3 years

• Imitates standing on one foot
• Imitates simple bilateral movements of limbs (e.g. arms up together)
• Climbs jungle gym and ladders
• Pedals a tricycle
• Walks up/down stairs alternating feet
• Jumps in place with two feet together
• Able to walk on tip toes
• Catches using body

 4 years

• Stands on one foot for up to five seconds
• Kicks a ball forwards
• Throws a ball overarm
• Catches a ball that has been bounced
• Runs around obstacles
• Able to walk on a line
• Able to hop on one foot
• Jumps over an object and lands with both feet together

5 years

• Able to walk up stairs while holding an object
• Walks backward toe-heel
• Jumps forward ten times without falling
• Skips forwards after demonstration
• Hangs from a bar for at least five seconds
• Steps forward with leg on same side as throwing arm when throwing a ball
• Catches a small ball using hands only

What are the common concerns?

Some common concerns are:

• Poor muscle development
• Delayed play skills and ability to play independently
• Difficulties or lack of confidence interacting with other children in active environments (e.g. play cafes, playgrounds)
• Delayed ability to play independently and interact with the environment
• Difficulties using playground equipment
• Lack of confidence and lack of self-confidence in movement-based activities
• Difficulties playing with moving objects such as balls

What can I do?

Play is crucial to the development of children’s gross and fine motor skills. Through play, children practice and perfect control and coordination of large body movements, as well as small movements of hands and fingers. Encourage your child to engage in play that incorporates running at different speeds, jumping, catching a ball and balancing.

Who can I speak to?

If you are concerned about a child’s development, you can speak with your general practitioner (GP), paediatrician or physiotherapist.