Physical Development & Motor Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real CECE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Physical Development & Motor Skills flashcards as text
According to NASPE/SHAPE America guidelines, how much total daily physical activity is recommended for preschool-aged children (3–5 years)?
Answer: At least 3 hours of light to vigorous activity throughout the day
SHAPE America recommends that preschoolers accumulate at least 3 hours of total physical activity (a mix of light, moderate, and vigorous intensities) spread throughout each day.
In early childhood physical education, 'fundamental movement skills' refers to:
Answer: Basic skills like running, jumping, throwing, and catching that underpin complex physical activity
Fundamental movement skills are the building blocks of physical literacy, providing the motor foundation children need to participate in sports, dance, and active play throughout life.
An early childhood educator notices a child reaches only with the right hand even for objects on the left side of the body. This may indicate difficulty with:
Answer: Crossing the midline
Crossing the midline — moving a limb across the body's vertical center — is a key developmental skill; avoidance of it can interfere with reading, writing, and everyday tasks.
Which type of play simultaneously supports both gross motor and fine motor development in preschoolers?
Answer: Constructive block building and manipulation
Block play requires children to carry and stack large blocks (gross motor) while placing, balancing, and handling smaller pieces with precision (fine motor), making it uniquely dual-purpose.
Sensory integration, as it relates to early childhood motor development, refers to:
Answer: The brain's process of organizing sensory input to produce coordinated motor responses
Sensory integration is the neurological process by which the brain interprets and organizes information from the senses to plan and execute purposeful movement.
What is the MOST effective approach for supporting a child with motor delays in an inclusive early childhood classroom?
Answer: Modify activities for full participation and collaborate with occupational or physical therapists
Inclusive best practice involves adapting the environment and activities so every child can meaningfully participate while specialist collaboration ensures targeted support for the child's specific needs.
Body awareness in early childhood physical development is best defined as:
Answer: A child's understanding of their body parts and how they move through space
Body awareness is a perceptual motor concept that helps children understand what their body can do, where it is in space, and how to control it during movement tasks.