Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Motor Development

Goal: Children develop the large muscle control and abilities needed to move through and explore their environment.

Skill Progression: Jumping/ hopping

Age: 54-60 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 54-60 Months.

Obstacle Course. Set up a course for 2-3 children to go through at a time while the others play on the playground. Have all children rotate through the course. Have tricycles, tee balls, bats, a child’s golf club, a target, a pile of foam blocks, etc.

Have 2 to 3 children at a time in the obstacle course. Children go through individually so the adult can record their skills. Small numbers ensure that children do not need to wait long for their turn on the obstacle course. Possible course: 1)The child uses the scooter to get to the balance beam; 2)He walks the balance beam; 3)Steps off and jumps to the horizontal line 3 feet away where there is a ball waiting. 4)The child throws the ball to the adult (who is about 10 feet away). 5)The child then skips along the chalk line to the jump rope and tries to jump once. 6)The child lays the rope down and skips to the high stack of blocks (10 inches high) and jumps over with both feet. 7)The adult throws the ball to the child to catch. 8)The child must do a 180° jump turn and shoot the ball at a basket.

The child rotates the body and alternates arms in running and skipping, jumps in all directions, and uses weight shifting to throw. Balance is shown in walking heel-to-toe and jumping in different directions as well as forward for longer distances.

Early childhood educators and parents can now challenge children to move in more complex ways. Involve children in learning dance steps. Children can play sports with simple rules and begin doing gymnastics. Encourage parents to involve children in any community programs that are available, so they have an opportunity to practice, refine, and expand their gross motor skills.