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Babies and toddlers learn to use their fine and gross motor skills in complementary ways to achieve what they want to do. Jennie Lindon follows their progress It is usual to divide a child's physical development into the larger, whole body movements, like crawling or climbing, and the smaller, more detailed co-ordinations using hands and fingers. The larger movements are sometimes called 'gross motor development', and the smaller ones 'fine motor development'. Both 'sides' to physical development are equally important for under-threes. Remember that each child's pattern of development is very individual and the ages in this feature are just an approximate guide.

It is usual to divide a child's physical development into the larger, whole body movements, like crawling or climbing, and the smaller, more detailed co-ordinations using hands and fingers. The larger movements are sometimes called 'gross motor development', and the smaller ones 'fine motor development'. Both 'sides' to physical development are equally important for under-threes. Remember that each child's pattern of development is very individual and the ages in this feature are just an approximate guide.

0-12 months

Babies are born with very limited physical control over their own bodies, but they are highly motivated to practise movements. As a result of this they steadily gain control, from their head down towards their feet, and from the midline of their body out to the ends of their limbs.

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