Which gross motor skills are expected for a 5-year-old?

Which gross motor skills are expected for a 5-year-old?

• A. Stands on one foot for 10 seconds, swings, and may learn to skate
• B. Balances on a beam for 2 minutes
• C. Catches a ball with one hand
• D. Skates backward proficiently

Answer: (A)

At about 5 years old, children are refining balance and coordinated large-muscle movements. Standing on one foot for about 10 seconds shows solid static balance, while swinging demonstrates dynamic balance and leg strength, and they may begin to learn skating as their coordination improves. The other options describe skills that are typically more advanced or developmentally later for most five-year-olds: balancing on a beam for two minutes is quite challenging and usually seen in older children; catching a ball with one hand is possible but not reliably expected at this age; and skating backward proficiently is an advanced skill not commonly mastered by five-year-olds. So the description of standing on one foot for 10 seconds, swinging, and possibly learning to skate best matches what many five-year-olds can do.

At about 5 years old, children are refining balance and coordinated large-muscle movements. Standing on one foot for about 10 seconds shows solid static balance, while swinging demonstrates dynamic balance and leg strength, and they may begin to learn skating as their coordination improves. The other options describe skills that are typically more advanced or developmentally later for most five-year-olds: balancing on a beam for two minutes is quite challenging and usually seen in older children; catching a ball with one hand is possible but not reliably expected at this age; and skating backward proficiently is an advanced skill not commonly mastered by five-year-olds. So the description of standing on one foot for 10 seconds, swinging, and possibly learning to skate best matches what many five-year-olds can do.