Functional Mobility can look different for each child! This is how your child moves around their environment, this can be rolling, crawling, walking, using a walker or assistive device, or using a wheelchair.
Classroom Mobility:
Floor mobility
Crawling - this is a good way to work on strength and coordination
Transitions between sitting on the floor and standing
Work on transitioning through a mature half-kneel stance (one knee up, one knee down), without using a hand on the floor or on a stable surface
Stepping around and over obstacles - you can try doing obstacle courses to facilitate this skill
Hallway Mobility:
Walking in line with peers - work on stopping and going quickly with games like "red light, green light"
If your child walks on their toes, cue them to walk with "heels down," take big monster steps, or marching
Stairs:
Children aged three and up should be going up the stairs using a reciprocal pattern - one foot on each step
You can help your child by standing behind them and giving them cues - like touching which leg should go next, or by helping them move the appropriate leg up next
Verbal cues such as "big steps" or "right, left, right, left" or "1, 2, 1, 2" can be helpful
Children aged about 5 and older should be able to go down the stairs using a reciprocal pattern (one foot on each step)
You can challenge your child by having them walk up and down without the railing or without hand-held assistance
Outside:
Walking over uneven surfaces - can your child go up and down off a curb by themselves, walk up and down ramps without falling, or transitioning from grass to concrete
You can work on this inside as well by having your child step up onto and down from an object (step-stool, couch cushion, books, etc)
Walk across the bed or across a couch cushion on the floor to work on improved balance and walking on an uneven surface