Gross Motor Skills
Help your child in enhancing their gross motor skills by utilizing their large muscles for improved balance, coordination, and physical exercise.
What are gross motor skills?
Gross motor skills are the larger movements children make using the big muscles in their arms, legs, and torso. These skills help them do activities like sitting, standing, walking, running, jumping, and keeping their balance. Below is taken from the Cleveland Clinic's guide to Gross Motor Skill Milestones for Children. While these skills will continue to develop after the age of 6, children develop at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child's progress, please seek a professional's assessment.
To learn more, please visit the Cleveland Clinic at:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/gross-motor-skills
How You Can Help
Parents can support their child’s gross motor skills by encouraging active play, such as crawling, climbing on safe equipment, running, jumping, dancing, and playing with balls. These activities give children chances to practice using the large muscles in their legs, arms, and torso in a natural, fun way. Because gross motor skills are closely linked to physical growth (bones, muscles, joints, and overall body strength), progress will look different for each child. Offering age‑appropriate challenges, plenty of rest, and avoiding pressure or pushing too hard helps children build skills safely as their bodies develop.