LOCOMOTOR SKILLS

At the end of the lesson, the students must be:

a. Has an understanding on the definition of locomotor skills thru its
concepts and application;
b. Develop an appreciation on the movement execution of the
locomotor skills; and
c. Apply the before, during, and after activities before engaging in a
locomotor skill.
LOCOMOTOR SKILLS
- These are the movements that moves the body from one location to
another. Many locomotor skills are used on an individual’s routine as
wells as in games and sports. These movements are the gross skills that
children needs to develop and learn during their early stages. One
biggest locomotor to learn as a steeping stone for them is the walking
skill. It allows the feet to move from one place to another. As this
develops at early stage, the child can now learn another locomotor skill
as part of his growing ability.
To move with control, an individual will need a good balance, as well as
an awareness of the environment in terms of effort, space, and in
relation to people or object. This is because body movements often
occur in relation to at least one of these factors and seldom in isolation.

Example of locomotor skills

1. Walking
2. Running
3. Hopping
4. Jumping
5. Sliding
CRAWLING AND CREEPING SERIES
crawl
• Crawling is a slow creeping mode of locomotion, consisting of forward motion
with weight supported by the infant's hands (or forearms) and knees. It is the
primary means of mobility in infants.

• In the traditional crawl, babies start by learning to balance on their hands and
knees. Then they figure out how to move forward and backward by pushing
off with their knees. At the same time they are strengthening the muscles that
will soon enable them to walk.

• In creeping the infant is prone, with the abdomen touching the floor, and the
head and shoulders supported with the weight borne on the elbows. The
body is pulled along by movements of the arms, and the legs drag. The leg
movements may resemble swimming or kicking.
creep
• ‘Creeping’ begins when they lift their tummies off the floor and move
around on their hands and knees.
• Being able to sit upright usually occurs after muscle strength in our
babies legs, arms, shoulders and backs is well developed and their
brains have matured to a point where important reflexes that aid in the
healthy development of balance, posture, movement and stability are
present. 
• In the hands and knees position our babies are gaining tremendous
muscle development, especially of the hands, so important for the
development of fine motor skills such as writing and working with tools.
• Our babies are learning to coordinate the two sides of the body, with
the hand on one side and the knee on the other hitting the floor at
exactly the same time. Body rhythm and timing are important for
thinking and moving required in later written work and mathematics
at school.
• Babies are learning many concepts, including; near/far, up/down,
on/off, over/under, in/out. Many of these concepts are vitally
important for future movement skills and understanding mathematics
in later learning.
• Creeping helps to integrate more primitive reflexes, essential for
future coordination and learning.