Childhood Map

Discover the amazing things 5-year-olds are learning — from climbing and jumping to friendships, feelings, and first words on a page. Each skill comes with fun activities you can try together.

Physical & Motor Development

Whole-body and fine movement skills including strength, coordination, balance, and the physical foundations for daily life and learning.

Sources (9)
  • CDC/AAP Developmental Milestones
  • ASQ-3
  • UK EYFS (Physical Development)
  • Polish Podstawa Programowa (Fizyczny)
  • Montessori (Practical Life)
  • Waldorf/Steiner
  • PDMS-2
  • BOT-2
  • Head Start ELOF (Perceptual, Motor & Physical Development)
8 Subdomains
Gross Motor - Locomotion10 Gross Motor - Balance & Stability12 Gross Motor - Object Control Fine Motor - Hand Strength & Dexterity Fine Motor - Pre-Writing & Drawing Bilateral Coordination Oral-Motor Skills Health, Safety & Nutrition
Bilateral Coordination

Using both sides of the body together in coordinated movements and crossing the body's midline.

Examples & Achievements

  • Holds paper with one hand while cutting with the other
  • Catches a ball with both hands together
  • Pedals a bicycle or tricycle smoothly
  • Reaches across midline to pick up objects on the opposite side
  • Claps a rhythm pattern

How to Measure

  • Successfully stabilizes paper while cutting (observed)
  • Crosses midline spontaneously during reaching tasks (no trunk rotation)
  • BOT-2 Bilateral Coordination subtest
Sources (3)
  • BOT-2
  • Ayres SI
  • OT Practice Framework

Childhood MapPhysical & Motor Development

Bilateral Coordination

Using both sides of the body together in coordinated movements and crossing the body's midline.