Active, Coordinated Movement

I Can Kick… What a Trick! The Challenge of Reaching this Gross Motor Milestone

Kicking a ball takes quite a lot of coordination. You need to be able to stand on one foot, swing your other foot, take aim, and hit a ball (moving or not moving) with enough force to propel it. At this age, your child has likely reached this milestone. Some children can also run to kick a stationary ball, which requires the additional challenge of lining up one's steps to connect with the ball. You may see your child using more movement than is necessary or efficient, but he is still testing out this new action. Each attempt may look slightly different as he tries (subconsciously) to find the best way to perform the kicking movement. Before long, his coordination will improve even further, and you'll see his strength and aim grow over time.

Has your child achieved the following Active, Coordinated Movement developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all of the skill(s) he has already mastered to date.