What Are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body that help children move and control their bodies. These skills include running, jumping, climbing, throwing, balancing, and coordination. Strong gross motor skills are essential for physical play, sports, classroom movement, and overall body awareness.
What Does Difficulty in This Area Look Like?
Children with gross motor challenges might:
- Seem clumsy or uncoordinated
- Trip or fall more often than their peers
- Struggle with running, jumping, or catching a ball
- Avoid playground equipment or group sports
- Have poor posture or tire quickly during physical activity
These difficulties can affect a child’s confidence, social participation, and ability to keep up with peers.
How Can OT Help Build These Skills?
Occupational therapy supports the development of gross motor skills by:
- Designing fun, movement-based activities that improve strength, balance, and coordination
- Using obstacle courses, games, and exercises to boost body awareness and motor planning
- Breaking skills down into manageable steps to build confidence and success
- Collaborating with families and schools to encourage practice in daily routines
Through engaging and supportive therapy, children can improve their physical abilities, gain confidence, and fully participate in the activities they love.