FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What describes the growth and motor ability developing from the center of the body outward?

1. Cephalocaudal progression

2. Proximodistal progression

3. Onlooker play

4. Games with rules play

The correct answer is: Proximodistal progression

The correct answer is described as proximodistal progression. This concept refers to the pattern of motor skill development that begins at the center of the body and moves outward toward the extremities. In the context of child development, it means that children first gain control of their torso and arms before developing finer motor skills in their hands and fingers. This reflects a natural progression in the ability to coordinate larger body movements before mastering smaller, more intricate skills. The focus on the center of the body as the starting point for development emphasizes the body's core as fundamental for overall mobility and stability, ultimately leading to more detailed motor control in the limbs. Understanding this progression is essential for educators and caregivers when designing activities that support children's physical development at different stages.