ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the gross and fine motor skills of infants and toddlers. It will explain the general progression of motor skill growth that all humans move through as they grow, and how reflexes, large motor skills and small motor skills change and refine themselves through the first three years of life. The importance of caregivers of infants and toddlers understanding the progression of large and small motor skills so that they can recognize what the children are doing, what they should already be able to and what they will be doing next is emphasized. The concept that physical development is very observable and occurs in a predetermined order is explained and clearly broken down for easy understanding. Strategies for creating appropriate environments to promote gross and fine motor practice are given.
