Physical Development & Motor Skills Flashcards
6 cards from real CDA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Physical Development & Motor Skills flashcards as text
Which of the following activities supports bilateral coordination in preschoolers?
Answer: Cutting with scissors, stringing beads, and clapping patterns
Bilateral coordination requires both hands working together, as in cutting, bead stringing, and clapping — skills that develop cross-body neural connections.
What does 'proprioception' mean, and why is it important for young children?
Answer: The body's sense of its position and movement in space; essential for coordination and motor planning
Proprioception is the body's internal sense of position and movement, which allows children to coordinate actions, manage personal space, and develop motor skills.
A 4-year-old frequently falls, bumps into furniture, and has difficulty pumping on a swing. Which sensory system might need additional support?
Answer: Vestibular and proprioceptive processing
Vestibular processing (balance, movement through space) and proprioception work together to support coordination — when these are immature, children fall and appear clumsy.
When planning physical activity for a child with a physical disability, what principle guides the CDA professional?
Answer: Modify activities so the child can participate meaningfully alongside peers
Inclusive practice requires modifying activities so all children, including those with disabilities, can participate meaningfully with their peers.
Which of the following demonstrates an understanding of the cephalocaudal principle of motor development?
Answer: Children gain control of head and neck before trunk, then arms, then legs
Cephalocaudal development proceeds from head to toe — infants control head/neck first, then trunk, then lower extremities.
What is the MOST important safety consideration when setting up a gross motor obstacle course for preschoolers?
Answer: Ensuring equipment is age-appropriate, surfaces are non-slip, and adequate supervision is maintained
Age-appropriate equipment, non-slip surfaces, and adequate supervision are the core safety requirements for any gross motor activity.