Physical Development and Wellness

Motor Development1

  • a

    Develops competency in a variety of locomotor and non-locomotor skills.1.a

    1. 1

      Begins to move head, arms, legs, and trunk. 1.a.1

    2. 2

      Moves head, arms, legs, and trunk with purpose. 1.a.2

    3. 3

      Explores new body positions and movements. 1.a.3

    4. 4

      Moves the whole body to achieve a goal. 1.a.4

    5. 5

      Stands independently.1.a.5

    6. 6.

      Expands use of different body positions and movements (e.g., walking, turning, running, jumping) with coordination and balance.1.a.6

    7. 7

      Demonstrates locomotor and non-locomotor skills with control, coordination, and balance both with and without objects.1.a.7

  • b

    Demonstrates developing control of fundamental fine motor skills, including hand-eye coordination.  1.b

    1. 1

      Tracks objects visually and focuses on an object or person.121.b.1

    2. 2

      Uses one hand to swipe at, reach for, and grasp at objects. 1.b.2

    3. 3

      Uses one or both hands to reach for, hold, shake, and release objects. • 1.b.3

    4. 4

      Coordinates hands and eyes to use hand or hands in a specific way, to reach for and hold steady objects, and to move objects.13 1.b.4

    5. 5

      Accomplishes a variety of tasks or actions with the coordinated use of arms, hands, and fingers. 1.b.5

    6. 6

      Performs tasks requiring precise movements by coordinating the use of hands, fingers, and wrists to manipulate objects and tools. 1.b.6

  • c

    Develops oral motor skills. 1.c

    1. 1

      Uses mouth and tongue to explore objects. 1.c.1

    2. 2

      Takes and chews small bites/pieces of finger food. 1.c.2

    3. 3

      Coordinates sipping, chewing, and swallowing. 1.c.3

    4. 4

      Demonstrates complex oral motor skills. 1.c.4

  • d

    Uses senses to guide movement and interactions with objects and other people. 1.d

    1. 1

      Uses senses to explore objects. 1.d.1

    2. 2

      Uses depth perception to guide movements. 1.d.2

    3. 3

      Uses trial and error to discover how the body fits and moves through space. 1.d.3

    4. 4

      Interacts with objects or materials in different ways based on perceptual information about the objects or materials.141.d.4

    5. 5

      Demonstrates spatial awareness that allows for coordinated movements, actions, and interactions with others. 1.d.5

Wellness2

  • a

    Develops knowledge about the body, its parts, and how it functions. 2.a

    1. 1

      Shows awareness of own body. 2.a.1

    2. 2

      Points to basic body parts when asked. 2.a.2

    3. 3

      Names, points to, and moves body parts when asked. 2.a.3

    4. 4

      Identifies and describes the functions of body parts. 2.a.4

  • b

    Demonstrates personal health and self-care practices with increasing independence.2.b

    1. 1

      Communicates a need for care. 2.b.1

    2. 2

      Settles down and falls asleep after a familiar sleep routine.2.b.2

    3. 3

      Cooperates in dressing, eating, and basic hygiene. 2.b.3

    4. 4

      Participates in personal care tasks (e.g., handwashing, dressing, dental care).  2.b.4

    5. 5

      Initiates personal care tasks (e.g., handwashing, dressing, toileting). 2.b.5

    6. 6

      Completes personal care tasks independently (e.g., handwashing, dressing, toileting).2.b.6

  • c

    Consumes healthy food and develops healthy eating habits. 2.c

    1. 1

      Participates in feeding routines. 2.c.1

    2. 2

      Shows interest and tries new foods when offered. 2.c.2

    3. 3

      Communicates to adults when hungry, thirsty, or has had enough to eat. 2.c.3

    4. 4

      Consumes a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups. 2.c.4

    5. 5

      Distinguishes nutritious from non-nutritious foods. 2.c.5

    6. 6.

      Demonstrates basic understanding that eating a variety of foods helps the body grow and be healthy. 2.c.6

  • d

    Develops healthy sleep and rest behaviors. 2.d

    1. 1

      Participates in periods of sleep and wakefulness. 2.d.1

    2. 2

      Settles down and falls asleep after a familiar sleep routine. 2.d.2

    3. 3

      Rests or naps for periods during the day with assistance from adult. 2.d.3

    4. 4

      Recognizes and communicates being tired or needing to take a break from activity.  2.d.4

  • e

    Participates in preferred physical activities and develops understanding that being physically active is healthy.  2.e

    1. 1

      Interacts with adults in physical activities. 2.e.1

    2. 2

      Participates in active physical play using simple movement skills. 2.e.2

    3. 3

      Participates in a variety of physical activities throughout the day. 2.e.3

    4. 4

      Participates in structured and unstructured physical activity that promotes aerobic activity, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening. 2.e.4

    5. 5

      Demonstrates basic understanding that physical activity helps the body grow and be healthy.2.e.5

  • f

    Demonstrates increasing understanding of safety practices and behaviors. 2.f

    1. 1

      Responds differently to familiar and unfamiliar people, environments, or experiences. 2.f.1

    2. 2

      Cooperates and/or stops a behavior in response to a direction regarding safety.  2.f.2

    3. 3

      Follows basic safety rules with few adult reminders. 2.f.3

    4. 4

      Communicates the importance of safety rules and consequences. 2.f.4

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K and Kindergarten
Where can I read the official document?
Early Learning and Development Standards