International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

At what age do babies typically begin to kick a ball forward?

1. 1 year

2. 2 years

3. 3 years

4. 4 years

The correct answer is: 2 years

Babies typically begin to kick a ball forward around the age of 2 years. At this developmental stage, toddlers are gaining greater control over their gross motor skills and are becoming more coordinated. Kicking a ball involves a combination of balance, strength, and coordination, which are skills that are typically emerging as children approach their second birthday. By this age, they have usually developed enough physical ability to perform simple actions like kicking. At 1 year, children are still developing basic motor skills, such as walking and standing, which makes coordinated actions like kicking a ball less likely. By age 3, children can kick a ball more accurately and with more power, reflecting increased muscle development and coordination. By age 4, they can kick balls with greater precision, often incorporating stronger and more complex movements. Thus, the age of 2 years aligns with observations of typical gross motor development milestones.