tips and strategies for 43-48 month olds
Below are gross motor milestones that children 43-48 months old should be meeting. To go along with these gross motor milestones, some basic tips and strategies are included to help your child meet these milestones.
placing 1 foot on each step, walks down 4 steps w/out support of wall or rail
TIPS AND STRATEGIES:
- Practice stepping up/down on 4-6 inch steps, giving assistance as needed.
- Take child to a playground and encourage them to use equipment with stairs. Give them assistance as needed to go up the steps.
JUMPS FORWARD ON ONE FOOT FOR UP TO 6 INCHES
TIPS AND STRATEGIES:
- Tell the child to reach for the sky when jumping and push with legs. Tell the child to lean forward. Ask the child to jump like a frog.
- Model the correct jumping techniques: arms backward, legs bent, body leaning forward and knees slightly bent on landing. Provide cues to the child for using the correct form while jumping, such as, “Swing your arms forward,” “Bend your knees”.
RUNS AND STOPS WITHOUT FALLING
TIPS AND STRATEGIES:
- Play chase games and encourage the child to run. Model running. Run in and open, uncluttered space or outside.
- Play a game like run and stop. Tell the child to start running when you make a clap, then to stop as quickly as he/she can when you clap again.
- Play games such as duck, duck, goose.
HOPS FORWARD ON ONE FOOT, THEN HOPS FORWARD ON OTHER FOOT
TIPS AND STRATEGIES:
- Be sure the child can jump up and down on two feet first. Then show child how to hop on one foot. Hold the child’s hand and hop with the child.
- Place shapes around the room about 3 feet apart and have the child hop from one shape to the other calling out each shape’s name. Give assistance as needed.
- Play hopping games. (Hop scotch, hopping to race to an object etc.).
USING AN OVERHAND TOSS HITS A TARGET FROM 5 FEET AWAY
TIPS AND STRATEGIES:
- Practice throwing lightweight balls, beanbags at a target from 3 feet away and progress back to 5 feet.