Run and Move
Parent observes running mechanics, stair independence, skipping, and throwing form: head position while running, forward lean, sharp turns, varied surfaces, stairs without handrail (up and down), alternating-foot skipping, and body-propelled throwing. Covers eight gross motor milestones at 46-56mo.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Open space for running. Stairs or a step. A ball if available.
How it works
- 1~90s
Ask your child to run — just run back and forth. Watch three things: Is your child's head up, looking ahead? Is your child's body leaning slightly forward — not straight up or hunched? And when you call 'turn!' or 'change direction!' can your child do a sharp turn without stopping or losing balance? Try different surfaces if possible — grass and pavement. Tell me what you see.
Watch for: Child runs with head up and looking forward
- 2~90s
Two more tests. Stairs: ask your child to walk up and then down a full flight of stairs without holding onto the railing at all — hands free. Watch for alternating feet and balance. Then: give your child a ball. Say 'Throw it as far as you can!' Watch whether your child uses their whole body — stepping forward with the opposite foot, rotating hips and shoulder — or just arms. Tell me each.
Watch for: Child walks up stairs alone without holding on
- 3~60s
Two final motor tests. First: ask your child to skip — 'Can you skip? Step and hop, step and hop!' Model it once. Does your child skip with alternating feet — real skipping — or gallop (leading with same foot)? Second: ask your child to stand on one foot without holding anything — count the seconds. How long? Tell me both.
Watch for: Child skips with alternating feet
What this develops
- MilestoneWhile running, maintains {his/her} head up, looking at where {he/she} is goingphysicalprimary
- MilestoneWhile running, {his/her} body is leaning slightly forwardphysicalprimary
- MilestoneWhile running, {he/she} can do sharp turns without stopping or losing balancephysicalprimary
- MilestoneRuns confidently on a variety of surfaces (for example, on concrete and grass)physicalprimary
- MilestoneWalks up stairs alone, without holding on to somethingphysicalprimary
- MilestoneWalks down stairs alone, without holding on to somethingphysicalprimary
- MilestoneWhen throwing an object with direction, uses {his/her} body to propel it (for example, shifts body weight, uses arm to gain momentum, etc.)physicalprimary
- MilestoneSkips alternating feetphysicalprimary
- MilestoneBalances on one foot for five secondsphysicalprimary