Motor Development: The First Five Years (continued)

• walk alone

• stoop down and stand back without help

• climb on furniture

• control his fingers better; can hold a crayon and scribble

By 2 years the child can

• jump in place

• jump from a low step with both feet together at the same time

• kick a ball and momentarily balance on one leg while swinging the other to kick an object

• run forward

• stand up easily from a sitting position

• throw a ball overhand

Between 25 and 30 months the child can

• walk up and down stairs alone. May use a handrail or wall for support, but walks up and down stairs without help, even if she puts both feet on a step at the same time

• jump in place 2 or more times with feet landing at the same time

• run or walk on tiptoe

• climb on a jungle gym

• walk backward l0 or more feet to pull toys, arrange things or to move out of the way

Third Year Milestones

Between 3 and 4 years the child can

• jump forward with both feet together

• stand on one foot unsupported for 2 or more seconds

• steer and pedal a tricycle

• throw a ball underhand

• walk upstairs one foot on each step

Four and Five Year Milestones

Her coordination and control of her body are improving and she can:

• jump in place

• walk down stairs

• balance on one foot for ten seconds

• a ball purposely overhand

• a ball with hands

• gallop

• jump over an object with both feet

• walk backward toe/heel

• climb stairs with one foot per step

• put simple parts together

• copy a circle

• build a tower

• build constructions using imagination

• improve in cutting with scissors and coloring within lines

From birth to five years of age, development proceeds at a pace more rapid than any other phase of life. During this time children quickly develop the motor capacities that prepare them to be physically competent, enjoy physical activities, and to handle physical challenges.

Related Articles

Early Childhood Development: The First Five Years

About the NYU Child Study Center

The New York University Child Study Center is dedicated to increasing the awareness of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders and improving the research necessary to advance the prevention, identification, and treatment of these disorders on a national scale. The Center offers expert psychiatric services for children, adolescents, young adults, and families with emphasis on early diagnosis and intervention. The Center's mission is to bridge the gap between science and practice, integrating the finest research with patient care and state-of-the-art training utilizing the resources of the New York University School of Medicine. The Child Study Center was founded in 1997 and established as the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the NYU School of Medicine in 2006. For more information, please call us at (212) 263-6622 or visit us at http://www.aboutourkids.org/.