GM.B.93 PUSHES AND PULLS LARGE TOYS

This is a play skill in which the child uses her ability to walk backwards and to shift her centre of gravity.

How to Assess

Materials: A large object, such as a box containing a favourite toy.

Method: Set up a course incorporating straight line or path of about 1.5 metres and a corner.

Ask your child to move the object along the course, demonstrating if necessary and giving a reason such as ‘Take Teddy for a ride’. Score plus if your child can push and pull the box long the course.

How to Teach

Once your child can walk backwards (GM.B.90) it is only a matter of finding the right incentives. Try big trucks, big blocks and dolls’ prams.

Show her how she can get around corners by changing from pushing to pulling or vice versa.

Look ahead now to GM.B.116, which extends this skill.