HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

What action confirms delayed gross motor development in a 3-year-old child?

1. Stand on 1 foot

2. Catch a ball

3. Skip on alternate feet

4. Ride a bicycle

The correct answer is: Stand on 1 foot

To confirm delayed gross motor development in a 3-year-old child, the action of standing on one foot is particularly telling. By the age of 3, most children are expected to demonstrate a variety of gross motor skills, including the ability to stand on one foot for a few seconds. This milestone indicates not only balance but also strength and coordination. Gross motor development milestones for children often include a sequence where they start with simpler skills and progress to more challenging ones. If a child struggles to perform an action that is typically expected at this age—like standing on one foot—it suggests that their gross motor skills may not be developing as they should. Skills such as catching a ball, skipping on alternate feet, or riding a bicycle are generally expected at older ages, making them less effective indicators of delays at the 3-year mark. Understanding the context of these developmental milestones helps gauge the child's physical development appropriately, making the action of standing on one foot a clear marker for potential delays in gross motor development.