7 Movement and learning in early development
If you think back to your learning in Week 3 you will recall the idea of ‘milestones’ in physical development. Below is a reminder of these, starting with very young children, in the first year of their life.
The table below offers suggested ages for certain physical milestones and their links to learning. Remember this is just a guide – each child is an individual and so develops at their own pace.
| Age | Physical milestone | Link to learning (cognition) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | Hold head upright whilst in a prone position | Smiles at mum’s voice |
| 2 months | Roll from back onto side | Developing attention and focus |
| 3 months | Reach for objects | Babbles to indicate speech development |
| 5–7 months | Sit without support | Recognises name |
| 9–14 months | Stand without support | Can understand simple instructions |
| 8–12 months | Walk with support | Imitates speech – may say one or two words |
| 12 months | Use of pincer grasp | Copies adults |
| 12–14 months | Walk alone | Increases vocabulary |
If you are interested to find out more about further milestones from birth to adulthood this pdf Physical and Cognitive Developmental Milestones [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] is a useful resource. It demonstrates how physical movements are helping the child to learn. (Use Ctrl + click on the link to open in a new window.)