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: 30-33 Months

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Take a walk to a park with a playground. Bring a ball and sidewalk chalk.

Make a game out of the walk to the park. The adult and child take turns giving challenges. They can make lines with chalk on the sidewalk and give instructions for what to do to get to the line. For example, challenges might include, “Tip toe to this circle” (marked with the chalk). Or “Walk up the stairs of this house.” “Can you walk on this little wall?”

The child is gaining coordination and movements are smoother. The child adjusts the size and speed of movements. Increased balance allows walking on toes, walking on a narrow space, and walking up stairs without a support.

Encourage parents to spend time each day outdoors with the child. Too many parents rely on the television or other screen activities to occupy the child. Outdoor play stimulates movement with large muscles and play on playground equipment requires use of many different muscle groups. Involve children in household activities that require movement, too. Children can help with pushing the vacuum cleaner, sweeping with their own little broom, playing "fetch” with the dog, and so on.