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.

Place the child on her back and watch the child examining the environment.

On her back, the infant holds her head in the middle of her body, so that it does not lean to one side or another.

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.