Gross Motor Skill: Overview, Importance, Development, Examples

Gross motor skills are the abilities that help children control the big muscles in their bodies, allowing them to do things like walk, run, jump, and play. These skills are important for a child’s everyday movements and overall physical activity.

It also helps with building strength, balance, and the ability to stay steady on their feet.

Let me tell you in simple way. As children grow, they gradually learn to move their bodies better. For example,

By the time they’re 2 years old, most toddlers can walk, run, and climb stairs (sometimes with help). By the age of 4 or 5, they can usually hop, skip, and balance on one foot. These skills are important for them to move around easily and be more independent.

Some of the main areas of gross motor skills include:

• Body strength
• Coordination and balance
• Movement skills (like jumping and running)

Gross motor skills are one of the key area that every parents should focus. Let me tell you every single piece of info in this article. Keep reading!

Examples of Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills use the big muscles in your child’s arms, legs, and body. These movements help kids do everyday things like playing and getting around. Here are some simple examples:

Activity	Examples
Standing and Walking	Standing up on their own, walking around the house or outside.
Running and Jumping	Running in the park, jumping over small objects or off steps.
Climbing	Climbing up stairs or playground equipment like slides and ladders.
Throwing and Kicking	Throwing a ball to a friend, kicking a soccer ball.
Balancing	Standing on one foot or walking along a straight line.
Riding a Bike	Pedaling a tricycle or learning to ride a bicycle.
Swimming	Kicking and splashing in the pool or trying basic swimming movements.

I hope you know what is gross motor skills, as it is a part of motor skill but totally different from fine motor skills. Do you know why it is important? Let me tell you.

Why Gross Motor Skills Are Important for Your Child

Gross motor skills are really important for your child’s growth and well-being. Let me break it down for you with some key reasons:

Helps Kids Move Around

These skills are what allow your child to move confidently, whether it’s walking, running, or jumping.

It’s how they explore the world around them and gain more independence.

Boosts Confidence

When your child gets better at moving and playing, they naturally feel more confident.

They’ll be excited to try new things, whether it’s learning to ride a bike or trying out a new game. This self-confidence is important as they grow and take on new challenges.

Improves Balance and Coordination

Gross motor skills also help with balance and coordination, making everyday movements like walking or playing on the swings easier.

And guess what? Good balance and coordination are super important for learning other skills, like holding a pencil or catching a ball.

Keeps Child Active and Healthy

By practicing these movements, your child stays active, which is great for their overall health.

Whether they’re running around with friends or kicking a ball, these activities keep them physically fit and full of energy.

Encourages Social Play

Many activities that improve gross motor skills, like playing games or riding bikes, involve other kids.

This helps your child learn how to play with others, build friendships, and enjoy being part of a group.

Gets Ready for Sports and Hobbies

As your child grows, these skills set the stage for fun hobbies like sports, swimming, or even dancing.

It’s all about giving them the tools to enjoy different activities as they get older.

I believe you know basic information about this skills and you also relate with your kids. Let’s make more certain. I will show you how much your kids get developed by their age.

Gross Motor Development Milestones In Kids (Age Wise)

Infants (0-12 Months)

0–3 Months:

• Raises head and chest while on stomach
• Stretches and kicks on back
• Opens and closes hands

3–6 Months:

• Rolls both ways (tummy to back, back to tummy)
• Plays with feet
• Sits with support
• Reaches and transfers objects between hands

6–9 Months:

• Sits without support
• Gets into hands-and-knees position
• Crawls forward on belly

9–12 Months:

• Crawls on hands and knees
• Pulls up to stand and cruises
• Takes steps with or without support

Toddlers (1-2 Years)

• Walks unassisted for short distances and bends down to pick up toys.
• Walks sideways and sits down from standing without support.
• Walks backward and rises from sitting to standing using hands for support.
• Stands on one foot with assistance.
• Sits in a small chair by backing into it.
• Runs with assistance and independently with minimal falls.
• Walks while carrying a large object.
• Squats without using hands and gets off an adult chair unassisted.
• Jumps with assistance and runs without falling for several feet.

Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

3 Years:

• Skilled at running and jumping.
• Can pedal a tricycle and steer it.
• Can walk up and down stairs, alternating feet.

4 Years:

• Improved throwing and kicking skills.
• Can catch a bounced ball.
• Can hop on one foot and balance for a few seconds.
• Can walk backwards heel-to-toe.

5 Years:

• Can climb well and navigate playground equipment.
• Confidently plays with balls, throwing, kicking, bouncing, and catching them.
• Can walk on a balance beam.

Kindergarten (5-6 Years)

• Coordinates upper and lower body while jumping.
• Walks on a narrow ledge and stands on one foot for 10 seconds.
• Rides a bike without training wheels.
• Climbs playground structures easily.
• Catches a ball with one hand.

Early Schoolers (6-8 Years)

• Throws and catches a small ball well.
• Rides a two-wheeled bicycle without training wheels.
• Moves in time to music and learns to skip, gallop, and dance.
• Develops important swimming skills.
• Improves balance and coordination.
• Coordinates upper and lower body while jumping.
• Gradually builds muscle strength.
• Shows improved endurance during physical activities.

So you track your child’s gross motor skills. Let’s move to another part. I take many guidance from experts and they suggest me some tips that help in improve gross motor skills.

Ways to Improve Gross Motor Skills in Kids

Obstacle Courses

Create fun obstacle courses where kids climb, crawl, and navigate various challenges.

This encourages the use of their entire body, enhancing strength and coordination.

Dancing

Encourage your child to dance to music.

Dancing promotes balance, coordination, and muscle strength while allowing them to express themselves creatively.

Trampolines

Let kids jump on trampolines. This activity helps improve their balance, coordination, and overall body control in a fun and engaging way.

Playground Play

Regular play on the playground allows children to climb, swing, and slide, which strengthens their gross motor skills and encourages social interaction.

Ball Games

Play catch or kickball with your child. These activities improve throwing, catching, and kicking skills, while also promoting teamwork and cooperation.

Riding Bikes and Scooters

Encourage riding bikes, scooters, or tricycles. These activities build balance, coordination, and strength, helping kids gain confidence in their abilities.

Before you apply above things with your child, you should take note about below points that I mention.

Things That Make It Hard to Develop Gross Motor Skills

Muscle Strength

Lack of muscle strength can hinder a child’s ability to master gross motor skills, making activities like running and jumping more challenging.

Body Awareness

Children who struggle with body awareness may seem clumsy or awkward and find it difficult to perform activities that require precise movements or posture adjustments.

Motor Planning

Weak motor planning skills can slow down a child’s ability to learn new skills and complete everyday tasks, affecting their confidence and willingness to try new activities.

Sensory Processing Issues: 

Research says that children with sensory processing disorder may have trouble processing sensory information, leading to difficulties like clumsy walking, frequent tripping, or avoiding certain activities altogether.

Source: Investigation of the Relationship between Sensory-Processing Skills…

Limited Physical Activity

A sedentary lifestyle with less opportunity for physical play can limit the development of gross motor skills, as children need regular movement to strengthen their muscles and coordination.

If your kid faces the above issues, no need panic! As parents I can understand. Let me tell you some practical solution that you can do to address them.

Practical Solutions to Improve Gross Motor Skills in Kids

Encourage Outdoor Play:

Let your child play outside as much as possible. Activities like running, jumping, and climbing help build strength and coordination.

Play tag, ride bikes, or visit the playground together to help them move and have fun.

Create a Safe Play Space:

Set up a safe area at home or in the yard where your child can move around freely. Fill it with things like balls, tricycles, or climbing toys.

A safe space lets them practice running and jumping without worrying about getting hurt.

Make Physical Activity Part of Daily Life:

Include physical activities in your daily routine. Walk or bike to school, take the stairs, or go for family hikes.

This helps your child see exercise as a fun and normal part of life.

Organize Fun Games:

Plan games that get your child moving, like obstacle courses or scavenger hunts. Invite friends or siblings to join in.

Playing together teaches coordination and teamwork while having fun.

Limit Screen Time:

Set limits on how much time your child spends in front of screens. Too much screen time can lead to less physical activity. Encourage them to play outside or do active games instead.

Research also tells that Too much screen time can harm a child’s gross motor development.

Source: The relationship between screen time and gross motor movement

Use Household Items for Play:

Turn everyday items into fun play tools. Use cushions for balance beams or hula hoops for jumping.

Simple games like throwing balls into a basket can help improve their coordination while having fun.

Join in the Fun:

Play with your child to make activities more enjoyable.

Whether it’s playing catch, biking, or dancing, your participation encourages them and shows that being active is fun. Plus, it creates special bonding moments!

Conclusion

Helping your child develop gross motor skills is important for their growth and happiness.

These skills help them move better, play with friends, and feel more confident. You can support this development by encouraging fun activities, allowing outdoor play, and creating a safe space for them to explore.

Every child grows at their own speed, so be patient and celebrate their progress, no matter how small.

Your support and encouragement make a big difference in their journey to being active and healthy.