Gross motor skills are the abilities required to control the large muscles of the body for movements such as crawling, walking, jumping, running, and more. They involve the large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso and are important for everyday physical activities like walking, running, throwing, lifting, and kicking. Gross motor abilities also form the basis for fine motor skills and relate to body awareness, reaction speed, balance, and strength.
Gross motor skills are important for enabling children to perform everyday functions such as walking, running, playground skills (e.g. climbing), and sporting skills (e.g. catching, throwing, and hitting a ball with a bat) . They are also crucial for everyday self-care skills like dressing, climbing into and out of a car or bed, and getting onto and off the toilet or potty. Gross motor abilities also have an influence on other everyday functions. For example, a child’s ability to maintain appropriate table-top posture (upper body support) will affect their ability to participate in fine motor skills (e.g. writing, drawing, and cutting) and sitting upright to attend to class instruction, which then impacts on their academic learning.
Gross motor skill development helps children to build strength and confidence in their bodies. Kids also enjoy the same benefits of exercise and physical activity as adults do, which is important for a healthy lifestyle, no matter your age. Developing gross motor skills helps a child grow in the ability to do more complex skills, such as navigating a new playground environment or playing a team sport.
If you have concerns regarding your child’s development or your child is regularly missing development milestones, physical therapy can assess development and address concerns.
