To test for gross motor skill and coordination of a 6-year-old child, which of these techniques would be appropriate?

A) Have the child hop on one foot.
B) Have the child stand on his head.
C) Ask the child to touch his finger to his nose.
D) Ask the child to make "funny" faces at the nurse.

Normally a child can hop on one foot and balance on one foot for approximately 5 seconds by 4 years of age and can balance on one foot for 8 to 10 seconds at 5 years of age. Children enjoy performing these tests. Failure to hop after 5 years of age indicates incoordination of gross motor skills. Asking the child to touch his or her finger to the nose checks fine motor coordination; and asking the child to make "funny" faces tests CN VII. Asking a child to stand on his or her head is not appropriate.