Gross motor skills is defined as the movements of larger muscle groups such as arms, torso, or legs. However gross motor skills play a large role in our fine motor skills. As we develop our larger muscles first, if we don’t have appropriate gross motor skills we will usually have poor fine motor skills too. This is why it is so important to work on gross motor skills first before moving to fine motor skills.
There are several underlying factors that are important for gross motor skills and without these skills gross motor skills cannot be developed. These include:
- Muscle strength
- Muscle endurance
- Motor planning
- Motor learning
- Postural control
- Sensory processing
- Body awareness
- Balance
- Coordination
- Crossing midline
- Proprioception
- Muscle tone
The strategies that can support # with his motor development and motor planning difficulties, but are not limited to, include:
- Activities to work on your child crossing their midline would be beneficial in addressing motor planning activities.
- Work on graded activities ie if completing an obstacle course, ask them to complete one part. Then get them to repeat that one part 3 times, before asking them to do the first task and then do a second task. Allow your child to repeat this 3 times and then add a third component. The instructions over time can be a little more complex.
- Break down motor sequences into manageable units. Use imitation, verbal guidance, visual cues and physical help as needed, but try to keep these to a minimum.
- Play imitation games such as “Simon Says”, sing songs (“the Hokey Pokey”) and use stories that involve imitation.
- Obstacle courses including bilateral movements, crawling, climbing, hopping, skipping, jumping, bear or crab walks etc.
- “snow angels” on the floor or in sand
- Activities that encourage both fine motor and gross motor skills would be beneficial, whilst incorporating core strengthening.
- Utilising fitness apps to incorporate fun gross motor activities. Some examples can include Wii Sports, SWORKIT for KIDS, Go Noodle, Just dance, Pink Oatmeal and more. Ask your OT for a more extensive list.
Your child’s development and performance can be supported in the school and home environments if they are provided the appropriate opportunities to have regular, purposeful movement breaks throughout the day. This may include physical activities, providing them with “heavy work” activities throughout the day, modifying the environment and embedding school tasks with sensory and gross motor activities that will support attention.