Progress in physical development for pre schoolers

These are the moving and handling activities that pre schoolers may be able to do at different age stages. This isn't a definitive list of development milestones, as babies develop at their own rate and in their own ways.

Progress in physical development for pre schoolers

30 - 50 months

40 - 60 months

Move freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping

Experiment with different ways of moving

Mount stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet

Jump off an object and land correctly

Walk downstairs, two feet to each step while carrying a small object

Negotiate space successfully when playing racing and chasing games with other children, adjust speed or changing direction to avoid obstacles

Stand momentarily on one foot when shown

Travel with confidence and skill around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment

Run skilfully and negotiate space successfully, adjusting speed or direction to avoid obstacles

Show increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it

Catch a large ball

Use simple tools to effect changes to materials

Draw lines and circles using gross motor movements

Hold pencil between thumb and two fingers, no longer using a whole-hand grasp.