North Carolina Early Learning and Development Progressions: Birth to Five

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: Sitting

Age: 4-6 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 4-6 Months.

Sits unsupported momentarily; may extend arms forward to catch self or prop on arms

Situations for Observation of Skill

Observe the child in a sitting position on the floor.

Elicitation Strategy

Place the child in a sitting position on the floor. Make sure an adult is behind the child. Place interesting objects near the child.

Behavior Observed

The child sits without support briefly. When he falls forward, the arms extend to the floor to catch himself.

Routines-based Intervention (Embedded Instruction)

Demonstrate for parents how to provide a safe support system for the child in sitting, using a “Boppie” or other types of pillows. Explain the importance of having the child in this safe sitting position. It allows the infant greater access to the environment with both hands and arms and works on developing the infant’s trunk stability.

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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