Based on the provided reference, the most important goals for infants and toddlers revolve around mastering physical abilities.
As infants and toddlers develop, a central drive is their determination to master movement, balance, and fine- and gross-motor skills. This relentless pursuit of physical capability is a hallmark of early development.
Key Developmental Goals
According to the text provided, the focus is specifically on the physical milestones that children strive to achieve:
- Mastering Movement: Gaining control over their bodies to navigate their environment.
- Developing Balance: Learning to stabilize themselves as they progress through various stages of mobility.
- Acquiring Fine-Motor Skills: Using smaller muscles, particularly in the hands and fingers, for precise actions.
- Improving Gross-Motor Skills: Utilizing large muscle groups for major movements like rolling, crawling, walking, and running.
The reference highlights specific examples of these goals in action:
- Gross Motor Development: Rolling and crawling are significant achievements that occur as infants develop skill in using their large-muscle groups. These actions represent early forms of independent mobility.
- Fine Motor Development: Grasping and picking up objects with fingers are crucial steps and are noted as part of small-muscle growth. This shows the development of dexterity and hand-eye coordination necessary for interacting with the world.
Infants and toddlers are inherently driven to practice and perfect these skills, which are foundational for future physical and cognitive development.
