Early childhood is a time when children are especially attracted to motion and song. Days are filled with jumping, running, swinging and clapping and every place becomes a playground. Even the booth at a restaurant affords the opportunity to slide around in the seat or disappear underneath and imagine being a sea creature in a cave! Of course, this can be frustrating to a caregiver, but it’s the business of early childhood.
Gross Motor Skills
Children continue to improve their gross motor skills as they run and jump. They frequently ask their caregivers to “look at me” while they hop or roll down a hill. Children’s songs are often accompanied by arm and leg movements or cues to turn around or move from left to right.
Gross Motor Milestones
Here is a table showing the progression of gross motor skills that children will typically develop during early childhood:
Here are some activities focused on play that young children enjoy and that support their gross motor skill development.
Tricycle
Slides
Swings
Sit-n-Spin
Mini trampoline
Bowling pins (can use plastic soda bottles also)
Tent (try throwing blankets over chairs and other furniture to make a fort)
Playground ladders
Suspension bridge on playground
Tunnels (try throwing a bean bag chair underneath for greater challenge)
Ball play (kick, throw, catch)
Simon Says
Target games with bean bags, ball, etc.
Dancing/moving to music
Pushing self on scooter or skateboard while on stomach
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are also being refined as they continue to develop more dexterity, strength, and endurance. Fine motor skills are very important as they are foundational to self-help skills and later academic abilities (such as writing).
Fine Motor Milestones
Here is a table showing how fine motor skills progress during early childhood for children that are typically developing.
Here are some fun activities that will help children continue to refine their fine motor abilities. Fine motor skills are slower to develop than gross motor skills, so it is important to have age appropriate expectations and play-based activities for children.
Pouring water into a container
Drawing and coloring
Using scissors
Finger painting
Fingerplays and songs (such as the Itsy, Bitsy Spider)
Play dough
Lacing and beading
Practicing with large tweezers, tongs, and eye droppers