EARLY CHILDHOOD

Screening and Assessment

• Measure the child's length or height and weight, and plot these on a standard growth chart (see Tool H: CDC Growth Charts). Deviation from the expected growth pattern (e.g., a major change in growth percentiles on the chart) should be evaluated. This may be normal or may indicate a problem (e.g., difficulties with eating).

• Assess the child's visual acuity and eye movement. Vision problems hinder the development of motor-visual (hand-eye) coordination, an important component of physical activity.

• Assess the child's coordination. Poor coordination may result from lack of physical activity or other factors, or it may be a symptom of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). If DCD is suspected, refer the child for neurodevelopmental assessment. (See the Developmental Coordination Disorder chapter.)

• Assess the child's motor skill development (Table 7). Children usually acquire fundamental motor skills by a particular age.1

Table 7. Motor Skill Development During Early Childhood

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