Understanding Gross Motor Skills

Introduction

Gross motor skills refer to the abilities required to control large muscles in the body for activities such as running, jumping, and throwing. These skills are essential for children's physical development, as they provide the foundation for more complex movements and activities. In this overview, we will discuss the importance of gross motor skills, the typical developmental milestones, factors that affect development, and strategies to promote gross motor skill development. Occupational therapy can play a crucial role in helping children improve their gross motor skills. Occupational therapists work with children to develop the underlying motor skills necessary for performing activities of daily living, including gross motor activities like running, jumping, and throwing.

.

Why Are Gross Motor Skills Important?

Gross motor skills are crucial for children's overall development, as they are the building blocks for many physical and cognitive skills. They enable children to participate in sports, games, and physical activities, which provide opportunities for socialization, cooperation, and competition. Additionally, they help children to develop spatial awareness, balance, and coordination, which are important for activities such as riding a bike or playing team sports. Children who have well-developed gross motor skills are better equipped to engage in physical activity, which can help reduce the risk of obesity and related health problems.

 

Developmental Milestones

Gross motor skill development follows a predictable sequence, with most children achieving specific milestones at roughly the same age. While there is some variation between individuals, the following milestones provide a general guide for parents and caregivers to track a child's development.

>

Infancy (0-12 months):

During this stage, babies are developing their strength, balance, and coordination. Infants typically learn to lift their heads, roll over, sit up, crawl, and stand with support during this period. Around their first birthday, most children can stand and take a few steps while holding onto furniture or other objects.

Toddlerhood (1-3 years):

Toddlers continue to refine their gross motor skills during this stage. They learn to walk independently, run, jump, climb, and kick a ball. They also begin to develop more advanced skills such as throwing and catching. By the age of three, most children can walk up stairs using alternating feet and jump with both feet off the ground.

Preschool (3-5 years):

Preschoolers have more control over their movements and can perform more complex tasks. They can ride tricycles, climb ladders, and walk on their tiptoes. They also begin to develop more refined hand-eye coordination and can catch a ball with their hands rather than their body. By age five, most children can skip, hop on one foot, and walk backwards.

>

Elementary School (5-12 years):

During this period, children continue to develop their gross motor skills and become more proficient at sports and other physical activities. They can run faster, jump higher, and throw and catch with more accuracy. They also begin to develop specialized skills such as dribbling a basketball or hitting a baseball. By the age of 12, most children have fully developed their gross motor skills and can engage in a wide range of physical activities.

Factors that Affect Gross Motor Skill Development

Several factors can influence a child's gross motor skill development. These include genetic factors, environmental factors, and neurological factors.

  • Genetic factors: Some children may have a genetic predisposition for certain physical traits that affect their gross motor skills. For example, some children may have longer limbs or a greater muscle mass, which can affect their balance and coordination.
  • Environmental factors: Environmental factors such as access to safe outdoor play areas and participation in physical activities can impact gross motor skill development. Children who have limited opportunities for physical activity may not develop their gross motor skills as quickly as those who have more opportunities to engage in physical play.
  • Neurological factors: Children with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome may experience delays in gross motor skill development. These conditions can affect muscle tone, coordination, and balance, making it more challenging for children to perform certain movements.

 

What are the benefits of physical activity for children's development?

The health benefits of physical activity are many. Physical activity is crucial for cognitive, physical, emotional and social development, especially in a child’s early years. Children as early as toddlers require physical activity for good health, development of motor skills and physical development. Physical activity like running, throwing, catching or jumping helps strengthen the muscles in their arms, legs and spinal cord, all during play.

While kids are developing their gross motor skills climbing and running around on the playground before heading off to soccer practice, they are also improving their balance and coordination. Both play an important part in a child’s ability to accomplish everyday tasks as well as participate in sports, dance, cheer, or other activities. Having good balance and coordination reduces the risk of injuries too.

There's genuine consensus that engaging in physical activity might be related to children's and adolescents' motor skills, since there is a longstanding belief that being physically active is essential to physical development in general (Seefeldt, 1986). More recently, Stodden and colleagues have outlined a developmentally dynamic model that assumes a reciprocal relationship between physical activity and motor development (Stodden et al., 2008; Robinson et al., 2015). According to this model, young children's physical activity plays an essential role in motor skill development, since it provides opportunities for experiences that will promote motor skill competence. That is, interindividual differences in motor skill proficiency are primarily considered the result of differences in movement experiences. From later childhood on, then, higher levels of motor skill proficiency are assumed to be a crucial factor that drives the individual's PA engagement. Hence, childhood is considered a critical time for the development of motor skills.

 

Physical Activity Guidelines for Children of Different Ages

Shape America Society of Health and Physical Educators provides the following guidelines for physical activity for children under 5 years old.

Guideline for Infants:

  • Guideline 1: Infants should interact with caregivers in daily physical activities that are dedicated to exploring movement and the environment.
  • Guideline 2: Caregivers should place infants in settings that encourage and stimulate movement experiences and active play for short periods of time several times a day.
  • Guideline 3: Infants' physical activity should promote skill development in movement.
  • Guideline 4: Infants should be placed in an environment that meets or exceeds recommended safety standards for performing large-muscle activities.
  • Guideline 5: Those in charge of infants' well-being are responsible for understanding the importance of physical activity and should promote movement skills by providing opportunities for structured and unstructured physical activity

Guideline for Toddlers:

  • Guideline 1: Toddlers should engage in a total of at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity each day.
  • Guideline 2: Toddlers should engage in at least 60 minutes -- and up to several hours -- per day of unstructured physical activity and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time, except when sleeping.
  • Guideline 3: Toddlers should be given ample opportunities to develop movement skills that will serve as the building blocks for future motor skillfulness and physical activity.
  • Guideline 4: Toddlers should have access to indoor and outdoor areas that meet or exceed recommended safety standards for performing large-muscle activities.
  • Guideline 5: Those in charge of toddlers' well-being are responsible for understanding the importance of physical activity and promoting movement skills by providing opportunities for structured and unstructured physical activity and movement experiences.

Guidelines for Preschoolers

  • Guideline 1: Preschoolers should accumulate at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity each day.
  • Guideline 2: Preschoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes -- and up to several hours -- of unstructured physical activity each day, and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time, except when sleeping.
  • Guideline 3: Preschoolers should be encouraged to develop competence in fundamental motor skills that will serve as the building blocks for future motor skillfulness and physical activity.
  • Guideline 4: Preschoolers should have access to indoor and outdoor areas that meet or exceed recommended safety standards for performing large-muscle activities.
  • Guideline 5: Caregivers and parents in charge of preschoolers' health and well-being are responsible for understanding the importance of physical activity and for promoting movement skills by providing opportunities for structured and unstructured physical activity.

Guidelines for School Age Children

The US Department of Health and Human Services publishes the following guidelines for children school age children and adolescents. Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or

more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily:

  • Aerobic: Most of the 60 minutes or more per day should be either moderate-vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity on at least 3 days a week.
  • Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days a week.
  • Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days a week.

How can gross motor skills improve socialization?

Gross motor skills play an essential role in children's physical development and also have a significant impact on their socialization.

Here are a few ways in which gross motor skills can improve socialization:

  • Enhance Confidence and Self-esteem: When children develop their gross motor skills, they gain confidence in their physical abilities. This confidence, in turn, can translate into increased self-esteem, making them more comfortable in social situations and more likely to engage in social activities.
  • Facilitate Group Play: Gross motor skills, such as running, chasing, and playing ball, are often used in group play. As children become more skilled in these activities, they are more likely to participate in group play, which can help develop their social skills and improve their ability to interact with others.
  • Increase Cooperation: Many gross motor activities, such as team sports, require cooperation and communication with others. Children who participate in these activities learn to work together towards a common goal, which can improve their ability to cooperate with others and work as part of a team.
  • Improve Communication: Gross motor activities often involve verbal communication, such as calling out to teammates during a game. By engaging in these activities, children can improve their communication skills, including their ability to express themselves clearly and effectively.

The development of gross motor skills can have a significant impact on children's socialization. By improving their confidence, facilitating group play, promoting cooperation, and enhancing communication skills, gross motor activities can help children become more confident, social, and successful in their interactions with others.

 

How do gross motor skills help with cognitive development?

Gross motor skills also have significant benefits for cognitive development. Here are some of the ways gross motor skills impact cognitive development:

  • Develops Spatial Awareness: Gross motor skills involve understanding spatial relationships between objects, including their own body in space. Children develop spatial awareness by navigating around obstacles, climbing over things, and moving in different directions. This type of learning promotes the development of spatial reasoning, which is essential for math, science, and other academic subjects.
  • Enhances Executive Functioning: Gross motor skills require planning, sequencing, and coordination of multiple body parts. These skills are part of executive functioning, which includes working memory, attention, and self-control. By practicing gross motor skills, children develop and strengthen these executive functioning skills.
  • Improves Problem-Solving Skills: Gross motor skills require children to think critically and solve problems. For example, when playing a game of catch, they have to adjust their movements to catch the ball, anticipate its trajectory, and adapt to changing conditions. These problem-solving skills are transferable to other areas of life.
  • Promotes Brain Growth and Development: Gross motor skills involve the activation of multiple areas of the brain, including the motor cortex, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. These areas of the brain work together to execute complex movements, which stimulates the growth and development of neural pathways.

Gross motor skills are essential for cognitive development as they enhance spatial awareness, executive functioning, problem-solving skills, and brain growth and development. By providing children with opportunities to engage in gross motor activities, parents and caregivers can support their cognitive growth and development.

 

How do occupational therapists help with gross motor skills?

Occupational therapy can play a crucial role in helping children improve their gross motor skills. Occupational therapists work with children to develop the underlying motor skills necessary for performing activities of daily living, including gross motor activities like running, jumping, and throwing.

Here are some ways in which occupational therapy can help with gross motor skills:

  • Assessing the Child's Abilities: Occupational therapists first evaluate a child's motor skills to determine their strengths and weaknesses. This assessment may include testing muscle tone, strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, and endurance.
  • Developing Individualized Treatment Plans: Based on the assessment, occupational therapists develop individualized treatment plans that focus on improving the child's specific areas of weakness. These plans may include activities to build strength, increase flexibility, and improve coordination and balance.
  • Providing Adaptive Equipment: In some cases, children may require adaptive equipment to help with their gross motor skills. Occupational therapists may recommend assistive devices, such as walkers, crutches, or braces, to help children move more easily and safely.
  • Incorporating Play-Based Activities: Occupational therapists often use play-based activities to engage children in therapy and help them develop gross motor skills. These activities may include games, obstacle courses, or other fun and challenging activities that require gross motor skills.
  • Collaborating with Parents and Caregivers: Occupational therapists work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure that therapy goals are consistent with the child's needs and goals. They may also provide education and training to help parents and caregivers support their child's motor development at home.

Occupational therapy can be a valuable resource for children who need help developing gross motor skills. By assessing the child's abilities, developing individualized treatment plans, providing adaptive equipment, incorporating play-based activities, and collaborating with parents and caregivers, occupational therapists can help children improve their motor skills and achieve their full potential.

 

How do gross motor skills impact academic performance?

Gross motor skills play an important role in academic performance. Children who have well-developed gross motor skills tend to perform better academically than children who struggle with these skills. Here are some ways in which gross motor skills impact academic performance:

  • Attention and Concentration: Gross motor skills activities require focus and attention, which helps children develop attention and concentration skills. These skills can then transfer to academic settings, where children need to concentrate on tasks such as reading, writing, and problem-solving.
  • Memory: Gross motor skills activities can improve memory skills. As children learn new motor skills and practice them, they create new neural connections in their brains. This process can help improve memory and recall, which is important for academic performance.
  • Executive Functioning: Gross motor skills activities require planning, organizing, and problem-solving, which are all components of executive functioning. These skills are critical for academic success as they help children stay on task, manage time effectively, and regulate their behavior.
  • Classroom Participation: Gross motor skills activities can help children develop self-esteem and confidence, which can lead to increased participation in the classroom. Children who feel confident in their physical abilities are more likely to participate in class discussions and other activities, leading to better academic performance.
  • Brain Development: Gross motor skills activities promote brain development. As children engage in physical activities, they are developing neural pathways that support cognitive function. This process can lead to improved academic performance.

Gross motor skills play a significant role in academic performance. By improving attention and concentration, memory, executive functioning, classroom participation, and brain development, children who have well-developed gross motor skills are more likely to succeed academically. Schools can support the development of gross motor skills by providing physical education classes, recess, and other opportunities for physical activity.

 

What are strategies that parents can use to help children improve gross motor skills?

There are many strategies that parents can use to help their children improve their gross motor skills. Here are some suggestions:

  • Provide Opportunities for Physical Activity: Encourage your child to engage in physical activity regularly, such as playing outside, riding a bike, or participating in sports. Make sure your child has a safe and appropriate environment to play in.
  • Practice Motor Skills: Practice motor skills with your child at home, such as throwing and catching a ball, jumping rope, or hopping on one foot. Make it fun by turning it into a game or challenge.
  • Encourage Outdoor Play: Spending time outdoors can provide children with many opportunities to practice gross motor skills, such as running, climbing, and jumping. Encourage your child to explore their surroundings and play creatively.
  • Use Play-Based Activities: Incorporate play-based activities that focus on gross motor skills, such as obstacle courses or games that require running, jumping, or climbing. These activities can help improve coordination, balance, and strength.
  • Provide Appropriate Equipment: Provide your child with age-appropriate equipment, such as balls, jump ropes, and riding toys, to encourage physical activity and practice motor skills.
  • Model Physical Activity: Be a role model for your child by engaging in physical activity yourself. Children are more likely to adopt healthy habits if they see their parents doing the same.
  • Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your child is struggling with gross motor skills, seek the help of a healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist. They can provide specialized assessments and interventions to help your child improve their motor skills.

Parents can play a vital role in helping their children develop gross motor skills. By providing opportunities for physical activity, practicing motor skills, encouraging outdoor play, using play-based activities, providing appropriate equipment, modeling physical activity, and seeking professional help if needed, parents can support their child's overall physical development. 

The video below shows 45 activities you can try at home to improve your child's gross motor skills.

 

Conclusion

Gross motor skills play a critical role in child development as they contribute to a child's physical, cognitive, and social development. Developing gross motor skills supports a child's ability to move, interact with the environment, and engage in physical activity. Furthermore, children with well-developed gross motor skills are more likely to excel academically and engage in social activities.

Research in the field of occupational therapy has focused on various areas related to gross motor skills, such as the effectiveness of interventions, posture and balance, movement analysis, play-based interventions, and the impact of gross motor skills on participation and quality of life. However, future research can continue to explore the relationship between gross motor skills and academic performance, as well as the long-term impact of gross motor skills on overall health and well-being.

Overall, gross motor skills are an essential part of child development and play a critical role in a child's physical, cognitive, and social development. Research in the field of occupational therapy has contributed to our understanding of the importance of gross motor skills and provided evidence-based interventions to support children's physical development. Ongoing research can continue to inform clinical practice and guide the development of interventions to promote gross motor skills in children.

 

 

Related Articles

5 Ways to Assess Movement to Build Functional Outcomes

Children Practicing Gross Motor SkillsLearn More

Scotch Plains

1801 E 2nd St.
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Serving Westfield, Cranford, Berkeley Heights, Watchung, New Providence, and Summit

chevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram