Physical and Movement Development

Responds physically to stimuli (e.g., is startled by a sound).

Turns head side to side when lying on their stomach.

Holds head up unassisted while lying on their stomach.

Moves limbs to explore or engage with the environment in a supported position (e.g., kicks, bats, or reaches).

Maintains head control to view or scan the environment (e.g., looking around while lying down, while seated with support, or while held by a caregiver).

Changes and holds positions independently for play (e.g., rolls to the side lying or rolls completely over and stays in the new position).

Crawls by at least one method, examples include but are not limited to:

• On tummy using arms/legs (commando)
• Two straight arms and one bent leg (3-point)
• Scoots instead of crawls: from a seated position by pushing forward with legs (bend and straighten)/arm assist.
• Creeping using two arms and two legs.

Pulls their body upright to explore their environment.

Uses a stable item in their environment (e.g., a person, a chair, a table) to maintain balance while moving along.

Moves their body to a new location with support while maintaining trunk and head control (e.g., walking with hand held, taking steps with a push toy or walker, moving a wheelchair or floor wheeled device with their trunk and head upright).

Moves body over changes in surface types/levels (e.g., curbs, stairs, grass to sidewalk, inclines, floor to carpet).

Moves body independently through their environment while maintaining trunk and head control.

Moves body quickly through their environment while maintaining trunk and head control (e.g., running, using a mobility device to go faster than their usual speed).

Moves body independently up three to five stairs.

Walks up and down a few stairs with adult support or holding handrail (e.g., steps up on stair, then brings next foot to same stair).

Moves whole body quickly through their environment while in play.

Climbs onto/off stable items in their environment (e.g., a chair or a table).

Jumps up and down with two feet.

Moves under and around three or more objects (e.g., in an obstacle course or on a playground).

Balances while walking across an object (e.g., a curb) with some assistance.

Walks up and down a few stairs with adult support or holding handrail using alternating feet (e.g., step up on a stair one foot, then use other foot to go to the next stair).

Explores on play equipment.

Jumps on one foot a few times.

Jumps with two feet over, on top, and off of spaces or objects on floor (e.g., over a rope, onto or off of a short step).

Balances independently while walking across an object (e.g., walking along a line on ground).

Walks up and down stairs using alternating feet independently while holding the handrail.

Jumps alternating between each foot and both feet (e.g., playing hopscotch or dancing).

Jumps off variable heights using a one-foot lead or with two feet.

Gallops freely or in a game (one foot step-hop, with one foot leading).

Avoids obstacles and people while moving.

Hop, gallop, slide, skip, and run while maintaining balance.

Jump and land in the horizontal plane while maintaining balance.

Jump and land in the vertical plane while maintaining balance.

Perform locomotor skills in educational dance while maintaining balance.

Jump a single jump with a self-turned rope.

Jump a long rope with teacher-assisted turning.

Travel using slow and fast speeds.

Move safely in personal space with minimal reminders.

Holds and or moves objects with hands (grabs, shakes, bangs, brings objects to mouth).

Pushes and pulls objects while moving the body independently through their environment.

Throws objects as a part of play (e.g., small balls).

Pushes a ball forward with foot.

Rolls a ball toward a target.

Throws a ball towards a target.

Pushes with legs while sitting on an object with wheels (e.g., scooter or riding toy).

Kicks a ball.

Throws a ball with one or two hands.

Catches by cradling in arms toward the body.

Pedals an object with wheels (e.g., a tricycle or riding toys).

Kicks a ball close to a wide target.

Throws a ball with some accuracy to a target or person.

Catches a ball using two hands.

Bounces and catches a ball a few times using two hands.

Roll and throw underhand with opposite foot forward.

Throw overhand while maintaining balance.

Drop and catch a ball before it bounces twice.

Dribble with one hand, attempting a second contact.

Dribble with the inside of the foot, attempting a second contact.

Pass with the feet, while maintaining balance.

Volley individually using various body parts, attempting a second hit.

(0-6 months) Reaches for an object with one or both hands, grasps it and holds it.

(0-6 months) Releases a grasped object.

(6-12 months) Uses finger and thumb to hold small objects (e.g., food).

(6-12 months) Transfers an object from one hand to the other hand.

(6-12 months) Reaches across the body for object.

Grasps objects to release into an open container.

Dumps out objects from an open container.

Uses finger and thumb to hold and manipulate objects (e.g., page of a board book, piece of paper).

Grasps a small item of around a one-inch diameter in a fisted grip (e.g., crayon).

Stacks two objects on top of each other (e.g., blocks or cups).

Uses fingers and thumb to hold and manipulate objects repeatedly (e.g., turns the page of a book, opens or closes scissors).

Grasps and uses items (e.g., a crayon on paper or a stick in sand) in a fisted grip to scribble.

Stacks four objects on top of each other (e.g., blocks or cups).

Uses fingers and thumb to hold objects and matches them in a boundary area (e.g., shape sorters).

Uses two hands together to complete tasks (e.g., ripping paper, stringing beads, lacing shoestrings, stacking smaller items).

Crosses the midline of their body with or without an object (e.g., moving toy, drawing freely across paper with a crayon, touching shoulder with opposite hand).

Uses fingers and thumb to hold small objects and matches them in a boundary area repeatedly and with more accuracy (e.g., puzzle pieces).

Draws with intention and detail (e.g., writing letters or drawing shapes, lines, and stick people).

Uses each hand to complete a task (e.g., one hand holds the sheet of paper while the other hand moves crayon across it).

Print many uppercase and lowercase letters. (2020 Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts)

Moves in response to being dressed by lifting arms or legs, pushing arms or legs through clothing.

Feeds self with hands (when given opportunity) by reaching and grabbing for food items, then bringing it to their mouth.

Begins to drink from a cup with assistance from a caregiver.

Assists with putting on or taking off some clothes, while being dressed or undressed (e.g., pulling up pants, pulling their own head through a shirt, or putting a foot in a shoe).

Feeds self (e.g., uses hands or a feeding utensil).

Drinks from an open cup with minimal spilling.

Helps clean up (e.g., toys, food, garbage, clothing).

Participates in self-care or family routines such as reaching hands for hand washing, participating in mealtime, and putting away objects.

Attempts to dress self for indoors and outdoors with support (e.g., putting on their own top or bottom, putting on coat).

Cleans up a few materials when prompted (e.g., toys, food, garbage).

Recognizes the need to go to the bathroom and communicates this to a trusted caregiver.

Assists with putting footwear on and taking them off.

Demonstrates increasing independence with toileting.

Dresses with near independence.

Puts their footwear on and takes them off. May need help with ties and fasteners.

Puts on and takes off their indoor and outdoor clothes independently.

Recognize that food provides energy for physical activity.

Recognize that physical activity is important for good health.

Identify that healthy behaviors affect personal health. (National Health Standards)