Under the proximodistal principle of motor development, which activity…
2026
Under the proximodistal principle of motor development, which activity sequence best moves from control near the body's centre toward fine control at the extremities?
Answer: B. Throwing a large ball, then writing — ConceptProximodistal development describes a general direction of motor control from the body's central or proximal regions toward more distant parts of the…
- A.
Drawing circles, then painting
- B.
Throwing a large ball, then writing
- C.
Sitting up, then gaining neck control
- D.
Crawling, then standing
Attempted by 16 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
Proximodistal development describes a general direction of motor control from the body's central or proximal regions toward more distant parts of the limbs.
Accordingly, control of the shoulder and arm develops before the refined hand-and-finger control needed for fine-motor tasks.
Application
Identify the earlier task that mainly uses large, proximal muscle groups: throwing a large ball relies strongly on the shoulder and arm.
Identify the later task that demands distal precision: writing requires coordinated control of the hand and fingers.
The sequence therefore moves from proximal control toward distal fine-motor control.
Contrast
Drawing circles followed by painting does not guarantee a proximal-to-distal progression because both can rely substantially on hand control.
Sitting up followed by gaining neck control reverses the usual head-control-before-trunk-control progression and concerns the cephalocaudal direction.
Crawling followed by standing is a gross-motor milestone sequence, but it mainly reflects posture, balance, and locomotion rather than a proximal-to-distal refinement.
Cross-check
The defining test is whether the sequence changes from large central/arm control to small extremity control; throwing a large ball and then writing fits that test.
Result
The best sequence is throwing a large ball, then writing.