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: Locomotion: Crawling/walking/running

Age: 12-15 Months

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Takes quick short steps on level surfaces

Situations for Observation of Skill

Observe the child walking and going up stairs.

Elicitation Strategy

Place a desired toy on a higher step to motivate the child to climb.

Behavior Observed

The child alternates arms and legs in crawling slowly up the stairs.

Routines-based Intervention (Embedded Instruction)

Parents find it easier to just pick up the child and carry him up the stairs. Encourage them to let the child figure out how to get up at least the first few stairs when they have the opportunity in the home or various community settings. Crawling up stairs uses both arms and legs together and allows the child to practice coordinating bilateral movements, those involving both sides of the body.

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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