How Physical Skills Develop, Age by Age

While all children are different, most acquire motor skills along this timeline:

2 to 3 years old:

• walk up and down stairs; jump off one step 
• kick a ball 
• stand and walk on tiptoe 
• run; dodge

3 to 4 years old:

• walk backward and forward unselfconsciously; turn and stop well 
• jump off low steps or objects, but find it hard to jump over objects 
• begin to ride trikes and pump on swings
• stand on one foot unsteadily; balance with difficulty on low four-inch balance beam while watching their feet
• play actively, but tire suddenly

4 to 5 years old:

• skip unevenly; run well 
• stand on one foot for five seconds or more; master the low balance beam
• alternate feet when walking down stairs; judge well when placing feet on climbing structures
• jump on a small trampoline 
• show awareness of things in environment (such as cars on the street), but still need supervision and help protecting self
• have increased endurance in play

5 to 6 years old:

• walk backward quickly; skip and run with agility and speed
• incorporate motor skills into games
• walk a two-inch balance beam easily; jump over objects
• hop well; jump down several steps; jump rope
• climb well; coordinate movements for swimming or bike riding
• show uneven perceptual judgment
• have high energy levels in play and rarely show signs of fatigue; find inactivity difficult and seek active games and environments

7 years old and up:

• have increased coordination for catching and throwing
• be able to participate in active games with rules
• sequence motor activities, as with gymnastics or shooting baskets
• have improved reaction time in responding to thrown balls or oncoming vehicles