Support Gross Motor Skills (E4.9.1)

This exemplar video shows a toddler teacher leading a lively circle-time activity. As she sings, she encourages the children to pat their legs and move with the rhythm—providing a simple, playful opportunity for toddlers to practice coordination and build foundational gross motor skills.

In this exemplar video, a teacher provides an infant with opportunities to engage in gross motor movement by encouraging reaching, leaning, and body control during a routine activity. Notice how the teacher positions the child to support balance and allows repeated attempts at whole‑body movement while staying close for safety, an example of providing opportunities that support the development of gross motor skills.

In this exemplar video, a teacher supports toddlers’ gross motor development through active back‑and‑forth ball play. Notice how the teacher invites the child to walk toward her, models actions such as “throw” and “catch,” and encourages repeated large‑body movements during the interaction, an example of providing opportunities to engage in activities that support the development of gross motor skills.

In this exemplar video, a teacher participates in a gross motor activity by modeling and encouraging children to try different movements. Notice how the teacher invites children to flap their arms slowly like butterflies, run fast in place like cheetahs, and waddle like penguins—an example of participating in physical activities while providing modeling and encouragement for children.