Gross Motor Skills

These refer to the larger muscles of the body including our arms, legs and core which help us coordinate all our muscles together to complete everyday tasks such as standing, walking, running and jumping. Through developing these skills children are able to ride a bike, kick a ball, participate in sports, maintain upright posture and balance. Children learn how to move and control these larger muscles before being able to move and control the smaller muscles of the body (fine motor skills). If a child has trouble trying to keep their upper body upright or with appropriate posture, this will have an impact on their ability to complete fine motor tasks such as writing or cutting.

Children with gross motor difficulties may present with:

• Avoidance of physical activities

• Delays in developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling and walking

• Poor coordination or clumsiness

• Challenges with climbing or avoiding playground equipment

• Finds it difficult to maintain a sitting position or good posture

• Fatigue easily