Look up a child
Age atlas
Typical is a range. Use this as a map, not a verdict. Progress over weeks beats a date on a poster. Red flags live here so you can talk with families — they are not diagnoses.
Look up a child
Ready for skill themes
4–5 years
This is the sweet spot for skill-theme teaching. They can listen to a cue, try it, and laugh when it fails.
Evaluate this ageGross motor
- · Beginning skip or step-hop
- · Jumps forward with control
- · Throws and catches a playground ball
- · Rides a tricycle with speed and steering
Fine motor
- · Draws recognizable pictures
- · Writes some letters
- · Ties shoes with help
Balance
- · Stands on one foot 5–8 seconds
- · Walks a low beam with arms out
Sensory
- · Refining coordination
- · Enjoys more complex movement sequences
Social / play
- · Plays games with rules
- · Wants to win; learning to lose
- · Compares self to friends
Play ideas
- · Target throwing with beanbags into a hoop
- · Hopscotch with pictures instead of numbers
- · Partner mirror: copy my balance
- · Obstacle course with 4–5 stations
- · Balloon volleyball over a line
Skill library for this age
Cues you can use tomorrow. One theme at a time.
Session dose
Duration. 25–35 minutes
Structure. Warm-up, skill theme, play application, cool-down circle
Give one specific cue. Ask 'how did that feel?' before correcting.
FITT
Frequency
Daily movement; 3–5 classes/week
Intensity
Moderate to vigorous in games
Time
25–35 min
Type
All three skill themes, rotating weekly
Red flags — talk, don’t diagnose
- Cannot throw or catch a large ball
- Cannot stand on one foot even briefly
- Cannot pedal a tricycle
- Avoids playground equipment peers enjoy