Gross motor skills are an important part of early childhood development, but as a parent, I know how challenging it can be help your child develop these skills.
This page aims to guide you in understanding gross motor development and help you support your child!
* Haz click aquí para español: Todo Sobre La Motricidad Gruesa
Developing gross motor skills involves the large muscles of the body, such as the arms, legs and trunk. As children grow, they learn movement skills like walking, running, jumping and throwing. Gross motor development also includes developing balance skills, coordination skills and physical dexterity.
Gross motor skills are important as a foundation for the development of fine motor skills. They can help increase independence in self care, and aid in developing academic skills and confidence.
Examples of gross motor skills in infancy include rolling, creeping/crawling, and learning to walk, run and climb.
Older children use gross motor skills to play sports, cycle, swim, climb and even to play some musical instruments! Childhood games like hopscotch, follow-my-leader and jumping rope all use the larger muscles of the body.
Here are some specific gross motor skills that your child needs to develop:
Gross motor development follows principles like “big to small” and “proximal to distal,” meaning children first gain control over larger, central muscles before developing smaller, distal muscles (Myers).
Several factors can influence a child's gross motor development:
Between toddlerhood and starting formal schooling, there are many milestones that children achieve, such as catching and throwing a ball, learning to ride a bike and hopping on one foot.
Your child’s natural ability, their environment and the resources at hand, may affect the age at which these milestones are reached.
Typically, by 2 years old, a child may begin running, kicking balls, and climbing furniture. Pedaling a tricycle is usually mastered around age 3 to 4, and skipping by age 5.
A child with gross motor skill delays may struggle to use playground equipment and to keep up with peers in physical education classes. They may avoid sports and games, they may appear to be clumsy, and their fine motor skills may also be delayed.
A child’s teacher or coach often has the experience to spot if a child is behind their peers, and can refer the child for an assessment or encourage parents to take part in gross motor activities to boost their child’s development.
Sometimes, a child just needs some additional encouragement and opportunities to take part in physical movement activities - my website aims to provide parents and teachers with a wide variety of simple gross motor activities to do just that.
Remember, every child develops at their own pace and milestones are simply a guideline. However, if you are concerned about your child’s gross motor development, please consult a physical therapist or occupational therapist. They can assess developmental milestones and provide you with tailored support.
Parents and teachers can easily include fun, simple gross motor activities in their daily routines.
Here are some practical play-based activities to promote your child's gross motor development everyday!
If you want to help your child practice gross motor skills in specific areas, then check out these free gross motor exercises to target specific areas of gross motor development:
For instant access to these activities and many more, get my OT Mom Gross Motor Resources! Packed with easy-to-follow, photographed exercises and bonus planners, they are perfect for parents, teachers and homeschoolers!
You may have landed here because wanted to know more about gross motor skills.
I hope this page answered you, and that you feel empowered and encouraged to help your child develop their skills, to reach their potential and grow in confidence!
Gross motor activities don’t need to be expensive or complicated, they just need to be fun and make your child feel successful.
Remember to have fun with your child as you build skills together!
Share this page to help others!
Cameron, C.; Cottone, E. A.; Murrah, W. M. & Grissmer, D.W. (2016). How Are Motor Skills Linked to Children's School Performance and Academic Achievement? Child Development Perspectives. 10(2). 10.1111/cdep.12168.
Myers, Beverly. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Approach. Occupational Therapy for Physical Dysfunction. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1995
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