Term 1 — Foundations: Core, Rhythm & Touch

Focus: Wake up the body maps (vestibular + proprioception), establish postural control and simple bilateral work before precision tasks.

Gross motor (big movements)

Posture & core: animal walks, log rolls, tummy time on mats/bolsters; slow rocking/swaying; beanbag “belly balance”.
Balance & vestibular: walk lines, step over low obstacles, gentle spinning then “freeze”, tip-toe/heel walks.
Bilateral basics: marching with opposite arm/leg, clapping patterns, passing a ball around the waist, two-handed pushing/pulling.
Spatial awareness: “stop/go” games, body-part imitation (“touch right knee”), simple obstacle trails.
Indicators: Sits more upright during circle; fewer W-sits; can step over 2–3 floor markers; keeps feet on a line for 2–3 m.

Fine motor (small movements)

Hand readiness: wall/mini-easel vertical scribbling (builds shoulder stability), large crayons/markers, playdough squeeze/roll/press.
Grasp development: whole-hand to four-finger grips on chunky tools; big tweezers; transfer with cups/spoons.
Eye–hand: large peg boards, 4–6-piece knob puzzles, posting boxes, ripping paper.
Pre-writing strokes: big vertical/horizontal lines on vertical surfaces.
Indicators: Uses both hands together at midline briefly (e.g., opening a jar toy); controlled large scribbles; begins to prefer a hand for simple tasks.

Term 2 — Integration: Midline, Crossing & Tracking

Focus: Build bilateral integration, start consistent midline crossing, and begin smooth visual tracking to prep pre-literacy.

Gross motor

Midline & rhythm: cross-crawls to music, knee-to-opposite-elbow taps, scarf dances with crossing patterns.
Dynamic balance: low beams/rope on floor, step-up/step-down boxes, gentle bouncing on small gym balls with feet grounded.
Ball skills: two-handed catch from close range, roll to a partner through legs (midline), kick a stationary ball.
Indicators: Crosses midline in 2–3 patterned actions; walks 5–6 m along a taped line without stepping off. ujcontent.uj.ac.za

Fine motor

Shoulder→wrist→finger: vertical painting with broader strokes → table work with smaller tools; playdough pinch/finger isolation (pokey holes, snakes).
In-hand manipulation: move a small item from palm to fingers; rotate a crayon to the tip.
Tool use: snip with spring-open scissors on thick scraps; sticker dot paths; lacing cards with large holes; bead threading (large).
Visual tracking: follow bubbles/scarves with eyes → track left-to-right sweeps during story props.
Indicators: Begins consistent hand preference in 50–60% of tasks; snips paper with assistance; strings 3–5 large beads. mindmoves.co.za

Focus: Better endurance and graded control; multi-step motor planning; finer finger work for emerging pencil control.

Gross motor

Strength & endurance: longer obstacle circuits (crawl → climb → jump), scooter-board pulls, tunnel crawls for shoulder stability.
Complex coordination: hop on two feet; jump off a low step; start galloping imitation; relay games with start/stop rules.
Aiming: underhand throw into bins; gentle overhand toss; kick a slow-moving ball.
Indicators: Jumps forward ~30–40 cm with two feet; completes 3–4 element obstacle sequence without losing focus. Thrive by Five Index

Fine motor

Grasp refinement: move toward three-finger (tripod) or transitional tripod on short crayons; roll tiny playdough balls with fingertips.
Precision: peg tweezers with smaller objects, dropper/syringe water play (pincer strength), mini-stamps along a path.
Tool competence: cut along 8–10 cm bold lines; glue within boundaries; simple dot-to-dot paths.
Pre-writing: copy big + and —; trace broad paths L→R; simple shape copying (circle).
Indicators: Uses emerging tripod on broken crayons; cuts on a line within ~1 cm; copies a circle/plus with cues. mindmoves.co.za

Focus: Consolidate posture, dominance, midline, tracking; apply fine motor to self-care and mark-making with purpose.

Gross motor

Static + dynamic balance: single-leg balance attempts; zig-zag line walks; balance-board rocking with support.
Sequencing & rules: simple circuits with “if/then” rules (e.g., crawl under red, jump over blue); musical statues with shapes/poses.
Ball control: catch a medium ball with arms bent; aim/kick toward a target 2–3 m away.
Indicators: Holds single-leg stance 2–3 s each side; follows L→R movement games consistently. UPSpace Repository

Fine motor

Dominance & dexterity: stable preferred hand in most tasks; helper-hand holds paper/tools (bilateral integration).
Cutting & drawing: cut on gentle curves; copy cross/square; trace name card strokes (not formal writing).
Functional tasks: button large buttons, start zips, open lunch boxes; simple pegboard patterns.
Visual-motor integration: left-to-right tracking in picture rows; complete 6–12 piece interlocking puzzles.
Indicators: Clear helper-hand behavior; smoother L→R tracking during songs/books; manages 1–2 clothing fasteners. Thrive by Five Index

Gross Motor:
- Strengthen core and shoulder girdle (animal walks, wheelbarrow walks, swing and climb).
- Balance on one foot, start hopping on both feet.
- Obstacle courses with crawling under, stepping over, balancing, and rolling.
Fine Motor:
- Vertical surface painting to reinforce shoulder stability.
- Begin refined finger isolation (pinching, poking, squeezing).
- Thread large beads; tear and paste along lines.
- Draw big vertical and horizontal strokes with emerging control.

Gross Motor:
- Cross-crawl to rhythm; crawling through tunnels; beanbag tosses across midline.
- Balance-beam walking, skipping-prep (step–hop).
- Simple ball-skills sequence: throw → catch → bounce → kick.
Fine Motor:
- Use spring-open scissors; snip strips.
- Begin manipulating smaller tools (tweezers, droppers).
- String smaller beads in color sequence; follow 2-step cutting/gluing tasks.
- Trace large shapes or simple mazes with finger or crayon.

Gross Motor:
- Hop on one foot 2–3 times; jump off 20 cm step and land balanced.
- Relay games demanding start/stop control.
- Roll, crawl, jump sequence for motor planning.
- Skipping ropes or hula hoops to challenge timing.
Fine Motor:
- Pencil-like tools with short shafts for tripod grasp.
- Cut along straight and wavy lines; glue within shape boundaries.
- Copy circle, cross, and square confidently.
- Build symmetrical block patterns or 6–8 piece puzzles.

Gross Motor:
- Maintain balance on one leg 5 seconds; walk heel-to-toe along line.
- Catch a small ball with hands only; aim and throw at target 1.5 – 2 m away.
- Combine actions in rhythm (clap – stomp – turn – jump).
Fine Motor:
- Clear preferred hand for tool use; assist hand stabilizes paper.
- Copy triangle; trace name or basic letter patterns left-to-right.
- Cut simple shapes (circle/square) independently.
- Master large buttons, zips, and lids.