Understanding Gross Motor Skills for Babies and Toddlers

You may not know exactly what gross motor skills are or what they mean. Many may have heard the words during your child’s checkup but quickly dismissed it as one of those technical terms that only a physician would care to know. 

But all children develop gross motor skills during the first five years of their life. Gross motor skills refer to movements that involve large muscle groups and extensive ranges of motion and use large muscle movements like running, jumping and throwing. 

In this article, you will learn about what are gross motor skills that appear in the first four years of a child’s life.

What are Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills are the physical actions and coordination of large muscle groups required for locomotion and manipulating objects. The movement of the head, neck, arms, legs, feet and toes requires muscle strength. 

They are used to move your body around in space, such as walking, running, jumping and climbing. Your gross motor skills will be developed through activities such as rough-and-tumble play, swimming, cycling and gymnastics.

Gross motor skills are crucial to healthy development because they help children learn to control their bodies. They also improve balance and coordination.

Gross motor skills are essential for learning other skills such as writing or playing an instrument. These activities require fine motor skills (tiny movements of fingers or hands), which cannot be developed until gross motor skills have matured enough to allow for independent movement of arms and legs.

Why Are Gross Motor Skills Important

Gross motor skills are the large-muscle movements that allow you to run, jump, and throw. They’re a key part of childhood development because they’re necessary for learning how to navigate the world around us. When children learn how to run or jump, they learn about gravity and inertia—something that can be difficult for adults to understand!

Gross motor skills are essential in all our lives, from interacting with others to moving through our environment. For example, it can be frustrating and scary if you’ve been driving in a car with someone new to driving and doesn’t know how to signal or change lanes safely. This is because they lack gross motor skills such as hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

Gross motor skills also play an essential role in learning social cues and developing self-confidence. Children who are good at gross motor activities tend to have higher self-esteem because they feel like they can accomplish things independently instead of relying on others for help all the time!

Gross Motor Skills Milestones

Here are the general physical activity guidelines for children ages 0 to 5 years, according to Children’s Hospital of Richmond in Virginia in the United States:

Newborn to 2 months

• Turns head to both sides while on back
• Lifts head and is able to turn to both sides while on belly
• Head lag with pull to sit
• Kicking both legs and moving both arms equally while on back
• Performs tummy time on the floor regularly

3 to 4 months 

• Raises head in line with trunk when pulled to sit  
• Pushes up on forearms and turn head side to side while on belly  
• Tolerates tummy time well   
• Rolls from belly to back  

5 months 

• Rolls from back to belly  
• Brings feet to mouth laying on back  
• Pushes up on hands with arms extended while on belly  
• Pivots in a circle while on the belly to each side  

6 to 8 months 

• Sits without support
• Reaches for toys to play with when sitting   
• Catches self with loss of balance in sitting   
• Crawls on belly  

9 to 11 months 

• Moves between laying down and sitting upright without help  
• Crawls on hands and knees  
• Pulls to a standing position with one foot leading  
• Cruises around furniture  
• Walks with two hands held

11 to 12 months 

• Walks with support (one-hand)
• Stands alone for a few seconds

13 to 14 months 

• Stands up from the floor without support   
• Start walking without support
• Squats and stands back up without holding onto support  

15 to 18 months  

• Walks without support
• Can run, though falls easily  
• Kicks a ball forward

2 years 

• Walks and runs fairly well   
• Jumps in place with both feet off the ground  
• Walks up and down stairs alone  
• Kicks a ball with either foot

3 years 

• Balance on one foot for a few seconds   
• Jump forward 10-24 inches   
• Catches a large ball   
• Rides a tricycle

By 4 years 

• Can run, jump and climb well, is beginning to skip  
• Hops proficiently on one foot  
• Can do hopscotch  
• Catches a ball reliably  
• Begins somersaults

By 5 years 

• Skips on alternate feet and jump rope  
• Begins to skate and swim  
• Rides bicycle with/without training wheels    
• Climbs well

Gross Motor Skills Activities 

Gross motor skills are body movements that involve whole muscle groups. The term gross is used to distinguish them from fine motor skills, which are smaller, precise movements of single muscles. So let’s talk about a few examples of gross motor skills!

What Are Gross Motor Activities for Infants and Crawlers

Here are some gross motor activities that you can try with your infant or crawler:

• Rolling on the floor
• Pushing a toy car around
• Climbing up and down stairs in a sitting position
• Sitting and spinning around in a chair or swing
• Standing and walking with assistance from an adult

Baby Gross Motor Skills

One of the most important things to remember is that the baby’s gross motor skills are still developing. This means that they may not be able to do certain things as well as they’ll be able to later on.

As a parent, it’s important to remember this when interacting with your baby. You don’t want to push them too far or expect too much from them! 

It’s also important to remember that even if they do something one day and not the next, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with them—it just means that their skill set is still developing.

What Are Gross Motor Skills Activities for Babies Who Pull Up

Here are some gross motor activities you can try with your baby who pulls up:

• Walking along a line or rope on the floor (or even just holding onto one end of it)
• Hanging from an activity gym or other piece of equipment (and pulling themselves up)
• Crawling through tunnels or over obstacles
• Using a ball to push through a hoop or other obstacle

What Are Gross Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers

Here are some examples of gross motor activities for toddlers:

• Walk around the house with your child on your back or in an Ergo baby carrier (this is great for building strength in their legs).
• Play catch with a ball or Frisbee outside (make sure there aren’t any hard surfaces nearby!).
• Go for a walk around the neighbourhood with them riding in their stroller or backpack carrier (again, make sure there aren’t any hard surfaces nearby!).
• Jumping on an exercise ball or mini trampoline
• Stacking blocks or cups 
• Tugging on a pull toy or wagon (for older children)

What Are Gross Motor Skills Activities for Preschoolers

Here are some examples of gross motor activities for preschoolers:

• Hopscotch
• Jumping rope
• Jumping jacks
• Tug of war
• Musical chairs

What Are Gross Motor Skills Activities for School-Age Children

Gross motor activities can be done at home or in the classroom, and they should be varied to help keep kids engaged. Here are some examples:

• Running around outside
• Play catch with a large ball (like a beach ball) or a football
• Play tag or hide-and-seek outside
• Walk around an obstacle course (like cones set up in a row) or play hopscotch on the sidewalk
• Roller skating
• Swimming
• Dancing

Gross Motor Delay Causes

Gross Motor Delay is a condition that affects children’s development of motor skills. It is characterised by delayed or uncoordinated movements, difficulty with balance and coordination, and poor eye-hand coordination.

The causes of gross motor delay are varied but generally include some combination of the following:

• Disease or genetic defect
• Birth trauma or other medical issues
• Developmental delays result from environmental factors such as poor nutrition, exposure to toxins, and lack of oxygen during birth
• Injuries that affect the central nervous system (such as spinal cord injuries or brain injuries)

Gross Motor Delay Diagnosis

There are a few ways to diagnose delays in gross motor skills. When you’re assessing your child’s development, keep an eye out for the following:

• Does your child have difficulty with balance? This can include difficulty standing on one foot or basic coordination tasks like walking or running.
• Does your child have difficulty with object control? This includes issues such as catching toys and picking up larger objects like balls or blocks.
• Is your child’s movement repetitive? If so, this could indicate that he or she has trouble with motor planning or sequencing.
• Do you notice any asymmetry between his or her arms and legs? This may indicate that he or she is experiencing weakness in one of those limbs due to lack of use over time.

Signs that You Should Talk to Your Child’s Doctor About Gross Motor Delay

Watching our little ones grow and develop is an amazing journey, but sometimes we might notice delays in their gross motor skills. While every child develops at their own pace, it’s essential to be aware of signs that may indicate a need to consult their doctor. Here are five signs that you should have a conversation with your child’s healthcare provider about gross motor delay.

1. Wobbly or Unsteady Movements: If your child consistently struggles to maintain balance or frequently falls while walking or running, it’s worth discussing with their doctor.

2. Difficulty with Coordination: If your child consistently has difficulty coordinating movements, such as catching a ball or using utensils, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice.

3. Late or Limited Milestones: If your child is significantly behind in reaching major milestones, like crawling, walking, or jumping, it may be time to involve their doctor.

4. Lack of Interest in Physical Activities: If your child consistently avoids activities that involve movement and shows disinterest in physical play, it’s worth discussing with their doctor.

5. Abnormal Muscle Tone or Stiffness: If you notice that your child has unusually tight or floppy muscles, seek guidance from their doctor to rule out any potential concerns.

Remember, every child is unique, and some delays may be within the range of normal development. However, if you notice multiple signs or have concerns about your child’s gross motor skills, it’s always best to consult their doctor for professional guidance and support.

Gross Motor Delay and Autism 

Gross motor delay is a common symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autistic children often struggle with these movements; they may take longer than usual to learn how to walk or run and may have trouble with balance and coordination once they begin doing so.

Other physical conditions or developmental delays can also cause gross motor delay. Suppose your child is experiencing difficulties with gross motor skills and has been diagnosed with ASD or another type of developmental delay. In that case, you must consult your paediatrician or occupational therapist about this issue as soon as possible.

ALSO READ:

6 Exercises to Strengthen Your Baby’s Muscles

4 Ways To Improve Your Child’s Coordination

12 Benefits of Sensory Play to Your Child’s Development

Gross Motor Delay Treatment

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Music therapy

• Speech therapy

• Dietary modifications

Some recommended dietary modifications include:

• Decreasing the number of refined sugars in your child’s diet
• Limiting the number of carbohydrates that your child eats at one time (they can be eaten throughout the day)
• Limiting high-fat foods and increasing fibre content in their diet

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.