Bending and Standing Without Support
Child can bend over or squat to pick up object from floor and return to standing without holding onto anything
What the research says
Referenced across 1 developmental framework: asq_3
Full quotes, source languages, and document links coming soon as we finish the source-evidence indexing pass.
Before this (4)
Required (1)
- Independent StandingMin: secureMust be able to stand independently before can squat and return to standing
Helpful (1)
- BalanceMin: developingGood balance makes squatting and standing smoother
Character (2)
How it's taught
Provide opportunities to pick up objects from floor during play; avoid always handing objects to child; play games that involve squatting
Materials: Small toys, balls, blocks placed on floor
What mastery looks like
Cannot squat and stand without support; may fall or need to hold onto furniture
- Falls when attempting to squat
- Needs to hold furniture to lower down and stand up
- May sit down instead of squatting
Can squat and stand but movement is effortful or unsteady
- Squats and stands but with visible effort
- May put hand on floor for balance
- Movement is slow and deliberate
Regularly squats and stands smoothly in familiar contexts
- Squats and stands without support most of the time
- Movement becoming more fluid
- Can pick up objects while squatting
Consistently squats and stands smoothly without support in various contexts
- Squats and stands easily throughout the day
- Movement is smooth and balanced
- Can squat, pick up object, and stand in one fluid motion
Squatting and standing fully integrated into movement repertoire; can squat while carrying objects
- Squats and stands without thinking about it
- Can squat while holding toys or other objects
- Uses squatting position for play
Activities for this (7)
Garden Helper
Parent and toddler water plants, dig soil, and explore the garden together. The agent coaches the parent to observe the child's interaction with living things, understanding of care, and sensory engagement with soil, water, and plants.
Clean-Up Song
Parent sings the clean-up song and the agent coaches the parent to observe toddler's ability to follow simple instructions, put toys in containers, and participate in household routines. Builds practical life skills through joyful tidying.
Let's Try Kicking
Parent plays a ball game with toddler, encouraging both catching attempts and kicking practice. The agent coaches the parent to observe gross motor coordination, balance during kicking, and arm extension for catching — building foundational ball skills and whole-body coordination.
Catch and Kick
Parent plays a simple ball game with their toddler, throwing gently for catching practice and encouraging kicking back. The agent coaches the parent to observe retrieval patterns after throwing, kicking coordination while standing, and overall motor planning — building foundational ball skills, balance, and coordination.
Toy Trail Cleanup
Parent creates a trail of toys leading to a box, encouraging child to squat, pick up toys, and walk or run while carrying them to the box. The agent coaches the parent to observe emerging running speed, squatting coordination, and walking while holding objects — building gross motor control, balance, and coordination.
Up and Down!
This helps practice the concept of "up" and "down". Start this activity by asking your child to raise his hands and ask him: Where are your hands up or down? Repeat this same exercise, now asking him to put his hands down. Then give your toddler a ball
Laundry Helper
Parent involves toddler in the simple chore of putting dirty clothes in a hamper, observing gross motor coordination, following instructions, and early responsibility. The agent coaches the parent to notice how the child carries items, follows directions, and shows pride in helping — building motor skills and self-efficacy through household participation.
Formal assessments
No matching assessment items indexed yet.