What is the first step in the sequence of locomotor skills acquisition?

The first step in the sequence of locomotor skills acquisition is crawling. Crawling is typically one of the earliest forms of movement that infants engage in, allowing them to explore their environment and develop their physical coordination. This skill forms a foundation for later movements, such as walking, as it enhances muscle strength, balance, and spatial awareness.

Crawling involves the coordinated use of limbs to propel the body forward, establishing motor pathways that are crucial for subsequent locomotor skills. Through this motion, infants learn how to shift their weight, coordinate different parts of their bodies, and develop gross motor skills. This early movement experience is essential for the natural progression to walking, which follows once the child has mastered crawling and gained sufficient strength and balance.