Specialized Movement Phase
The specialized phase of motor development is an outgrowth of the fundamental movement phase. Instead of continuing to be closely identified with learning to move for the sake of movement itself movement now becomes a tool that is applied to a variety of specialized movement activities for daily living, recreation, and sport pursuits. This is a period when fundamental stability, locomotor, and manipulative are progressively refined, combined, and elaborated upon in order that they may be used in increasingly demanding situations. The fundamental movements of hopping and jumping, for example, may now be applied to jumping rope, forming folk dances, and performing the triple jump (hop-step-jump) in track and field.
The onset and extent of skill development within the specialized movement phase depends on a variety of task, individual, and environmental factors. Task/complexity, individual physical, mental, and emotional limitations, as well as environmental factors such as opportunity for practice, encouragement, and instruction are but a few.