7 FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL READINESS SKILLS

Click on each skill to read a detailed description.

• BALANCE - Balance is the ability to move your body under control.

One of the first skills a child learns after birth is that of balance. Balance is necessary for a child because he first finds a sense of control through this skill. His ability to master "getting around" on his own, makes him more self-confident and less dependent. If a child exhibits poor balance, he may not be able to sit long enough to be able to pay attention or complete assignments. This may be mistaken for attention disorders or immaturity or disciplinary problems. For instance, a child who constantly falls out of his chair or trips in the hallway, may be classified as the class clown. He may drop his pencil several times and may be labeled disruptive.

• GENERAL COORDINATION - General coordination is the ability to coordinate movement.

• BODY IMAGE - Body image is the ability to understand one's own body and its relationship to other things.
  
  
• HAND-EYE COORDINATION - Hand-eye coordination is being able to use your hands and your eyes effectively at the same time.

• LATERALITY - Laterality is knowing my left from right, top from bottom, and front from back.

• TACTILE TOUCH - Tactile touch is the ability to feel objects as they are meant to be felt.

• AUDIO RECEPTIVE / AUDIO EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE - Audio receptive / audio expressive language is the ability to hear and distinguish the basic sounds in a given language and to express those sounds in a distinguishable manner.