As your baby grows, so does their curiosity. They start to explore their surroundings by rolling, crawling, and eventually walking, which helps them naturally develop gross motor skills. These physical actions use large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso to help your child explore the world around them.
Gross motor development is the base for building strength, balance, and confidence, making kids active, independent, and happy. In Canada, research shows that while most toddlers get enough physical activity, only about 39% of children aged 5 to 17 meet the recommended 60 minutes of movement per day.
Strong gross motor skills help children feel capable and included. They play better with friends, try new things without fear, and learn to trust their bodies. And when kids feel strong on the outside, it often helps them feel stronger on the inside, too.
So, let’s further understand the importance of gross motor skills development and how it can shape a child’s overall health and well-being at every stage.
What are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills are physical abilities we use to move the large muscles in our body, like those in our arms, legs, and torso. These skills help us do whole-body activities, such as running, jumping, or kicking a ball. They are a big part of everyday tasks, even simple ones like walking or climbing stairs.
These skills might look easy, but they are actually tricky because they need our muscles and brain to work together. Gross motor skills help with balance, coordination, strength, body awareness, and quick reaction. Additionally, they are important for fine motor skills, which involve doing tasks using small muscles like writing with a pencil.
When someone has trouble with gross motor skills, it can make life harder. For example, a child might struggle to run during playtime at school, or an adult might find it tough to carry heavy things at home. This can affect academics, jobs, or even daily chores.
Although gross motor skills develop naturally over time, sometimes they can be delayed, meaning a child doesn’t develop them as expected. This can happen for different reasons. Premature birth can slow muscle growth, making it harder to move well.
Genetic conditions, like Down syndrome or Autism, can affect how muscles and nerves work. Nerve and muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy, can also cause delays by impacting muscle strength and control. If a delay is linked to a medical issue, it’s good to talk to a doctor or occupational therapist for early intervention.
Key Gross Motor Development Milestones
Tracking down gross motor milestones is crucial as it shows how kids grow stronger and learn to move their bodies as they get older. Here’s a simple guide to what they can do at different ages. Every child grows at their own pace, so don’t worry if they are a bit different.
Newborn to 2 Months
- Turns head side to side on the back.
- Lifts head during tummy time.
- Kicks legs, moves arms on back.
3-4 Months
- Lifts head when pulled to sit.
- Pushes up on forearms, looks around.
- Rolls from belly to back.
5-8 Months
- Rolls from back to belly.
- Sits alone, reaches for toys.
- Crawls on belly, pushes up on hands.
9-12 Months
- Sits up without help, crawls on knees.
- Pulls to stand, walks with hand support.
- Stands alone for a few seconds.
13-18 Months
- Crawls up stairs, stands without help.
- Walks well, runs, but may fall.
- Walks upstairs with support.
2-3 Years
- Runs, jumps with both feet, kicks the ball.
- Walks stairs alone, balances on one foot.
- Rides a tricycle, catches a big ball.
4-5 Years
- Runs, jumps, climbs, and starts skipping.
- Hops on one foot, plays hopscotch.
- Skips, swims, rides a bike, and climbs well.
Understanding the Science Behind Gross Motor Skills
Although gross motor skills involve physical actions, they also rely on the brain’s neurological control, coordination, balance, and sensory integration working together.
The motor cortex, a region in the brain, sends signals through the nervous system to activate large muscles for movement. The cerebellum makes sure these actions are smooth and coordinated, helping with tasks like walking without stumbling. The brainstem also contributes by regulating basic functions like posture. If these neurological processes are disrupted, it can make gross motor tasks challenging for children or adults.
Muscle strength, coordination, and balance are essential for effective gross motor abilities. Strong muscles provide the power needed for actions like jumping or lifting. Coordination, guided by the brain, ensures that limbs work together.
Sensory integration plays a critical role, too. It is how the brain processes information from our senses, like sight, touch, and the inner ear, to guide movement. For instance, vision helps us judge distances while jumping, and the vestibular system in the ear maintains balance. Proprioception lets us feel where our limbs are without looking.
How Gross Motor Skills Impact Physical Health?
Since gross motor skills involve large-muscle movements, they play a vital role in maintaining overall health. Here’s how they contribute:
Improving Mobility and Daily Activities
Gross motor skills make moving around easier and more efficient. For children, this means they can run, climb, or play sports like soccer with ease. For adults, it helps with everyday tasks such as walking to work, lifting heavy items, or cleaning the house. If these skills are weak, people might struggle with basic activities, feel tired quickly, or even lose balance, making daily life harder.
Enhancing Cardiovascular Health
Strong gross motor skills encourage active movements like running, jumping, or dancing. This boosts cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body. Regular activity through these skills helps lower the risk of heart-related issues, keeping the heart strong. For instance, kids who play actively often grow up with healthier hearts, and adults feel more energetic.
Preventing Chronic Health Issues
Poor gross motor skills can lead to long-term health problems. If kids or adults don’t move much due to weak skills, they might gain extra weight, leading to obesity, diabetes, or joint pain over time. For adults, sitting too much because of mobility issues can cause back pain, stiff joints, or high blood pressure. Building these skills early helps avoid these chronic issues.
What is the Connection Between Gross Motor Skills and Mental Well-being?
As we have discussed how gross motor skill development contributes to physical health, let’s now explore how it connects to mental well-being.
Movement Boosts Brain Power and Clear Thinking
When we move a lot, like playing tag or kicking a ball, our brain gets more oxygen and energy. This helps us think better and focus more. For kids, it means they can pay attention in class after a good playtime. For adults, a quick walk or stretching can make the mind feel sharper and less foggy, helping solve problems more easily.
Physical Activity Improves Mental Health
Doing physical activities with gross motor skills, like swimming or climbing, makes our brain release happy chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals lower stress and make us feel calm. People who move regularly often feel less anxious or sad. For example, a child who plays outside might feel happier, and an adult who jogs might sleep better at night.
Building Confidence and Emotional Strength
Gross motor skills help us feel good about ourselves. When a child learns to ride a bike or an adult masters a dance move, they feel proud and more confident. This boosts self-esteem because they see what their body can do. It also makes them tougher emotionally, like if they fall while running, they learn to get up and try again, which helps them handle life’s ups and downs better.
Top 10 Activities to Improve Gross Motor Skills
So here are some activities that can help in the development of gross motor skills in children and adults. Practicing these activities for gross motor skills makes daily tasks easier, boosts confidence, and keeps the body and mind in great shape.
1. Running and Sprinting
Running is one of the easiest and best ways to build gross motor skills. It strengthens leg muscles, improves balance, and boosts heart health. Kids can run in a park, racing with friends, while adults might jog on a track. Sprinting short distances, like 20 meters, helps with speed and coordination. This activity also teaches body control, as you learn to stop or change direction without falling.
2. Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are simple but super effective. You jump while spreading your legs and clapping your hands above your head, then jump back to the starting position. This activity works your arms, legs, and core, helping with coordination and balance. It’s great for kids to do during playtime or for adults as a quick warm-up. Doing 10-15 jumping jacks a day builds strength and rhythm.
3. Kicking a Ball
This activity helps with leg strength and coordination. Kids can kick a ball to a friend or into a goal, learning to aim and balance on one leg. Adults can join in for fun or practice with a team. This activity also improves timing and body awareness, as you need to watch the ball and move your leg at the right moment.
4. Climbing Stairs or Hills
Climbing stairs is one of the best activities for building gross motor skills. It makes your leg muscles stronger and helps with balance. Kids can climb playground steps, while adults might walk up a hill during a hike. This activity also builds endurance, as you keep going even when it feels tough. It teaches your body how to move up and down without losing control.
5. Riding a Bicycle
Riding a bike is a fun way to improve gross motor skills. It works your legs, improves balance, and helps with coordination as you steer and pedal. Kids can start with training wheels, while adults can ride on a trail. Cycling also boosts confidence, as you learn to stay steady while moving fast. It’s a great way to explore while getting stronger.
6. Hopping on One Foot
Hopping on one foot helps with balance and leg strength. Kids can hop 5-10 times on each foot, maybe playing a game like hopscotch. Adults can try it as part of a workout. This activity teaches you to stay steady while moving, which is important for things like running or jumping. It also makes your ankles stronger, so you are less likely to trip.
7. Throwing and Catching a Ball
This activity builds arm strength and hand-eye coordination. Kids can toss a soft ball with a friend, while adults might use a heavier one for a greater challenge. This activity helps you learn to aim and time your movements. It also improves focus, as you need to watch the ball closely to catch it without dropping it.
8. Dancing to Music
Dancing is a fun way to work on gross motor skills. Moving to music, like doing simple steps or jumping to a beat, helps with coordination and balance. Kids can dance at home, and adults can join a class or dance at a party. It also boosts heart health and makes you feel happy while improving how your body moves.
9. Crawling Through Obstacles
Crawling under tables or through a tunnel helps with body awareness and coordination. Kids can make an obstacle course at home, crawling on their hands and knees. Adults can try it during a workout or playtime with kids. This activity strengthens your arms, legs, and core, teaching you how to move in tight spaces without bumping into things.
10. Balancing on a Beam
Balancing on a low beam or even a line on the ground is great for gross motor skills. It helps with balance and focus. Kids can walk on a playground beam, while adults might try a balance board. This activity teaches you to stay steady, which is important for walking or running without falling. It also builds confidence as you get better.
Conclusion
Gross motor skills contribute to overall health and well-being by supporting physical movement, mental clarity, and emotional strength. They help with daily tasks and boost confidence by mastering activities like jumping or running.
When these skills are strong, kids and adults can stay active, avoid health issues, and feel happier with better focus and less stress.
However, every child’s gross motor skills develop at their own pace, but it’s good to keep track of milestones. If your child isn’t hitting them on time, it’s better to seek professional help from Kick Start Therapy.
Our evidence-based occupational therapy helps kids improve their gross motor skills through fun activities tailored to their needs. We guide them to build strength, balance, and confidence, setting them up for a healthy, active, and happy life.
FAQs
What are Gross Motor Skills Examples?
Gross motor skills involve movements using large muscles, like those in your arms, legs, and torso. Examples include running in a park, jumping over a rope, kicking a soccer ball, climbing stairs, or throwing a ball. These activities help with strength, balance, and coordination.
Can Mental Illness Affect Motor Skills?
Yes, mental illness can affect motor skills. Conditions like anxiety or depression might make someone feel too tired or unfocused to move well. For example, a child with anxiety may struggle to run or play due to stress, impacting their coordination and balance in gross motor tasks.
What Causes Gross Motor Delay?
Gross motor delay can be caused by premature birth, which slows muscle growth, or genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Nerve and muscle disorders, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, can also affect movement. Sometimes, lack of physical activity or environmental factors can contribute to delays.
Do Gross Motor Delays Go Away on Their Own?
Some gross motor delays might improve over time with practice, but it depends on the cause. If it’s due to a medical issue like cerebral palsy, it won’t go away without help. Therapy, exercises, or medical support can help kids catch up and improve their skills faster.
Does Gross Motor Delay Mean Autism?
No, gross motor delay doesn’t always mean autism. It can be caused by many genetic factors, like cerebral palsy or premature birth. However, some kids with autism may have gross motor delays, like trouble running or jumping, because autism can affect coordination and sensory processing.