Assessment and Exercise Interventions in Early and Middle Childhood Development

Original Editor - Jess Bell based on the course by Tracy Prowse
Top Contributors - Jess Bell, Wanda van Niekerk, Tarina van der Stockt, Kim Jackson, Aminat Abolade, Cindy John-Chu and Olajumoke Ogunleye

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Introduction

There are a range of assessment tools to both quickly screen and assess children in more detail. These assessments will highlight if a child has a specific developmental difficulty that may affect their school and sports readiness.

PhysiFun Checklist

The PhysiFun checklist has been developed to highlight to the teacher / therapist if a particular student needs help with any activity. It is also a useful feedback tool for parents. See Table 1.

Table 1. PhysiFun Checklist

Age	Walking	Stairs	Ball Skills	Fine Motor
15 months	Walks alone, arms up, feet wide Starts voluntarily Falls, bumps into things	All fours upstairs Creeps backwards down	Kneels with support	Pincer grasp of small objects Palmar grasp of crayon To and fro scribbles Builds tower of 2 cubes after demonstration
18 months	Walks feet slightly apart Stops voluntarily Starts to jump Can walk backwards for a few steps	Upstairs with one hand held Creeps backward down Climbs to stand on chair	Squats to pick up toy Kneels properly Pushes ball with foot Throws a ball	Primitive tripod grasp or midshaft palmar grasp To and fro scribbles and dots
2 years	Runs, stops and starts with ease and avoids objects	Upstairs with 2 feet a step Downstairs - holding on Can jump off a step	Kicks a large ball Throws a small ball overhand in a definite direction	Holds a pencil near tip with thumb and 2 fingers Circular scribbles, to and fro scribble and dots, vertical lines Builds a tower of 6 to 7 cubes
3 years	Stands momentarily on 1 foot Obstacles whilst running Walks forwards, backwards and sideways Can ride pedal cycle bike and turn wide corners	Upstairs with alternating feet Downstairs with 2 feet to one step Rises from kneeling without using hands	Throws ball overhead Can catch a large ball on or between extended arms Kicks ball forcibly	Pencil skill tripod grasp with good control Imitates cross and copies circle Draws a man with head plus 1 or 2 indications of features Cuts with scissors Threads large beads
4 years	Running is more controlled; can start, stop, and turn Turns somersaults Hops on one foot Gallops Can brush teeth Can skip (without rope)	Combs hair Can wash and dress with little assistance	Can easily catch, throw, and bounce a ball	Copies crosses and squares Prints some letters Uses table utensils skillfully Cuts on a line
5 years	Runs in an adult manner Walks on tiptoe Broad jumps Walks on a balance beam Skates and jumps rope	Laces (but cannot tie) shoes	Developing ability to throw a ball against a wall and catch it again	Hand preference is established Grasps pencil like an adult Colours within lines Cuts and pastes simple shapes Writes name Draws a detailed person Matches most colours Understands numbers
6 years	Learns to skip with rope Knows right from left and number of fingers Stands on one leg for 20 seconds (bilaterally)	Ties shoe laces	Specific sporting ability becomes more obvious	Draws with precision and to detail Developing reading skills well May write independently Copies a diamond

Quick Specific Tests

The following balance, strength and activity tests can be used to quickly identify any deficit a child might have:

Standing on one leg:

• Children aged 4 years tend to be able to hold this position for 7 seconds
• Children aged 5 years, 10 seconds
• Children aged 6 years, 15 seconds

Walking heel to toe on a line:

• Children aged 4 years tend to be able to take 4 steps
• Children aged 5 years, 5 steps
• Children aged 6 years, 6 steps

Number of knee push ups in 30 seconds:

• Children aged 4 years, tend to be able to do 3 to 5 repetitions
• Children aged 5 years, 6 to 10 repetitions
• Children aged 6 years, 11 to 15 repetitions

The plank test can also be used for torso strength for children aged 8 to 12 years:

• Children aged 8 to 10 years can typically hold this position for 69 to 108 seconds
• Children aged 11 to 12 years can typically hold this position for 86 to 127 seconds

Taking a daily step count using a pedometer can also be used as a measure of physical activity:

• Children aged 6 to 19 years average around 12,000 steps
• It is important to note that there is a difference in genders:
  • Girls average 11,000 to 12,000 steps
  • Boys average 13,000 to 15,000 steps

Supine flexion (i.e. lie on back and bring knees to chest and lift head up):

• Children aged 3 should be able to hold this position for around 15 seconds
• Children aged 4 hold for around 17 seconds
• Children aged 5 hold for around 27 seconds
• Children aged 6 hold for around 53 seconds

Prone extension test (i.e. lifting arms, head and legs off floor):

• Children aged 4 years should be able to hold this for around 18 seconds
• Children aged 6 should be able to hold this position for around 29 seconds
• Children aged over 8 should be able to hold this position for over 30 seconds

Push ups:

• Children aged 5 and 6 should be able to complete 3 repetitions
• Children aged 7 should be able to complete 4 repetitions
• Children aged 8 should be able to complete 5 repetitions

Curl up (i.e. a sit up with legs straight):

• Children aged 5 and 6 should be able to do 2 repetitions
• Children aged 7 should do 4 repetitions
• Children aged 8 should do 6 repetitions