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: 4-6 Months

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

Hold the child under the arms, so his feet are on a solid surface.

Pretend to “fly” the child through the air on her stomach.

The child lifts head and bends or straightens legs when suspended horizontally (Landau reflex). This demonstrates increasing ability to move against gravity.

Encourage parents to allow the child floor time for play on tummy and back. Present interesting toys or materials. Let parents know that any household object can be of interest to a child (e.g., a shiny spoon, a pan, a set of washed keys, etc.) The infant will want to see, touch, feel and mouth the objects. Encourage early childhood educators and parents to let the infant work to get the objects rather than just handing them to him. Adults can provide different play activities that challenge the child to work against gravity, including pulling to sit in an “up and down” game and “flying” the child through the air. Children roll over in different ways and at different times. Some never roll over and just move into all fours. Emphasize the wide variation of normal development.