Trunk Control and Postural Stability
The ability to maintain and control body position, providing a stable base for movement and manipulation
What the research says
Referenced across 4 developmental frameworks: asq_3 · cdc_milestones · development_matters · te_whariki
Full quotes, source languages, and document links coming soon as we finish the source-evidence indexing pass.
Before this (2)
How it's taught
Provide safe spaces for floor play and movement exploration. Support mana atua (wellbeing) through responsive physical care. Honor cultural practices around infant carrying and positioning. Allow unhurried time for movement development.
Materials: Firm surfaces for tummy time, supportive seating, safe climbing structures, natural outdoor environments
What mastery looks like
Minimal head and trunk control
- Cannot lift head when prone
- Head lags when pulled to sitting
- Requires full support when held
Developing head control and beginning trunk stability
- Lifts head briefly when prone (1-2 months)
- Holds head steady when supported sitting (3-4 months)
- Rolls from back to side
- Props on forearms when on tummy
Independent sitting and transitional movements
- Sits independently without support (6-8 months)
- Maintains sitting while reaching for toys
- Transitions from sitting to hands and knees
- Pulls to standing with support
- Stands holding furniture
Stable upright posture enabling complex movement
- Walks independently with good balance
- Squats to pick up objects and returns to standing
- Runs with coordination
- Climbs stairs with support
- Maintains balance during play activities
Automatic postural adjustments supporting all activities
- Runs, jumps, and climbs with confidence
- Balances on one foot briefly
- Adjusts posture automatically during activities
- Demonstrates body awareness in space
- Engages in complex physical play without postural concerns
Activities for this (12)
Tower Time — Stacking and Balancing Fun
Parent and toddler play a block-stacking game where the agent guides the parent to observe hand coordination, release control, and spatial understanding as the child attempts to stack objects. Celebrates every attempt and crash equally.
Let’s Dance Together
This helps stimulate your baby's rhythm. Begin this activity by playing different types of music, and dancing with your baby to their rhythm. You may also choose to sing a song yourself! Help your baby notice when the music is faster or slow
Clap with the Music
This helps stimulate your baby's rhythm. To complete this activity, play music that your baby enjoys and keep up with the rhythm by clapping and dancing along. Encourage your baby to do so as well! Listening to music will stimulate your baby
Car in the water
This helps practice pushing objects in and out of water. Place a plastic car that floats in a tub with water and let your baby watch it float around. Teach your baby how to push the toy so that it advances in a certain direction. Next, place the car on the
Stimulating touch with rice
This helps stimulate your baby's tactile sense by patting and smoothening a surface. Create a sensory wonderland by filling a large container with rice and let your baby dive into a world of textures. Guide your little one in exploring the rice's feel, demonstrating how to smoothen it
Textured Walk
This helps stimulate your baby's sense of touch by walking on different surfaces. Support your baby’s sense of touch and motor development through texture exploration. Let your baby walk barefoot on different textures such as paper, napkins, or fabric. Observe your baby’s reactions
Ball Kicking Fun
This helps teach your baby to kick a ball. Exploring movement through play is a wonderful way to strengthen your baby’s motor development while having fun. Place a ball on the floor and encourage your baby to walk towards it and kick it. If yo
Reaching a Toy with a Stick
This helps teach your baby problem solving skills. Use a stick to reach a toy and learn problem-solving. Place a toy inside a tunnel and partially block the entrance. Hand your child a long stick and encourage them to push the toy out. Offer help as n
Walking on a Path
This helps teach your baby to walk on different surfaces. Walk on a narrow path to practice balance and coordination. Place a board on the floor or create a 5–8 inch wide path using tape. Invite your child to walk along the path, staying within the tape. Obs
Balancing Act
This helps enhance your baby's balance by carrying large objects. Exploring movement and balance through play offers your baby the opportunity to build strength and confidence while having fun. Hand your baby a large toy like a toy car or a ball. Help them walk whil
Walking Between Parents
This helps strengthen the emotional ties between your baby and you. Walk between parents to build trust and gross motor confidence. Have both parents sit on opposite ends of the room. One parent calls the child and extends their arms to invite them to walk over. Switc
Stair Crawling Adventure
Parent guides toddler in crawling up and down stairs using a favorite toy as motivation. The agent coaches the parent to observe crawling coordination, motor planning, and directional movement — building gross motor skills and spatial awareness in a safe, playful context.
Formal assessments
No matching assessment items indexed yet.