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: Supine/prone

Age: 2-4 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 2-4 Months.

Observe the infant on her stomach and back during daily routines.

To stimulate a roll, start by placing the infant on her stomach. Hold a preferred toy within the child’s visual range and move it slowly, as the child reaches for it, to just out of the child’s reach on the floor to the side and up above her head. Wait for the child to adjust position and keep moving the toy so the child turns to get it.

The infant lifts her head and legs, rotates her body, and moves her shoulders and legs to get the body to roll to side or back.

Make sure the infant spends time on her tummy as well as her back. Babies tend to prefer being on their backs, which is one reason early childhood educators and parents leave them in this position. However, being on their tummies can also motivate infants to try to move their bodies. Rolling typically starts from front to back, so the adult can stimulate this milestone by putting the baby on her tummy, holding a toy within the child’s visual range to the side. As the infant looks at the toy, slowly move it higher and slightly backward. As the child moves to follow the toy, she will be using muscles that are needed to roll. This may stimulate the infant to actually roll over. The same process works in reverse. Early childhood educators and parents can assist by helping the child rotate from the hips and leg. Once this action is started the roll is easier.