What Are Gross Motor Skills? Age-Appropriate Gross Motor Activities

The development of gross motor skills plays a foundational role in a child’s overall growth. These activities not only help children become healthier but also support their confidence, coordination, and curiosity to explore the world around them.

So, what exactly are gross motor skills? What are their roles and which activities best suit each age? Let’s explore in detail with La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh in this article!

Gross motor skills are movements that involve the use of large muscle groups in the body. They form the foundation for developing essential skills such as running, jumping, climbing, crawling, and balancing. These activities not only support a child’s physical health but also play a crucial role in their overall development.

The Difference Between Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills:

• Gross motor skills focus on movements that engage large muscle groups, like running, jumping, and climbing.
• Fine motor skills involve smaller, more precise movements such as grasping objects, drawing, or using scissors.

The harmonious combination of gross and fine motor skills helps children grow confidently and develop in a well-rounded way.

Understanding the stages of gross motor skill development is essential for parents and educators to support children effectively. Below are the key milestones that children typically reach from birth to 5 years old:

Newborn to 2 Months:
At this stage, babies develop basic reflexes that build head and body strength. They turn their heads to both sides while lying on their back and can lift and turn their head when on their tummy. Although their head is still unstable when pulled to sit, they can kick their legs and move their arms evenly when lying down. Regular tummy time is crucial for stimulating muscle development.

3-4 Months:
Babies begin to have better neck control. When pulled to sit, their head rises with their body. During tummy time, they can push up with their arms and turn their head comfortably. Tummy time becomes easier, and babies start to roll from tummy to back.

5 Months:
Babies start rolling from back to tummy, bringing their feet to their mouth while lying on their back, and pushing up with straight arms when on their tummy. They also begin to pivot in a circle while on their tummy to explore their surroundings.

6-8 Months:
Babies can sit steadily without support and reach for toys while sitting. They begin to balance themselves even when they lose balance slightly. This stage also marks the beginning of belly crawling.

9-11 Months:
Babies become more mobile, moving from lying down to sitting without help and crawling on hands and knees. They can pull themselves to a standing position by holding onto furniture and start cruising along furniture to move. Some babies may also begin to walk while holding both hands of an adult.

11-12 Months:
Babies gain more confidence as they walk with the support of one hand and can stand on their own for a few seconds.

13-14 Months:
At this stage, children begin crawling up stairs and can stand up from the floor without support. They also start walking independently with more confidence and can squat and stand back up without needing to hold onto anything.

15-18 Months:
Children are able to walk up stairs using a handrail or with help, safely crawl down the stairs (belly down, feet first), and start running, although they may still fall easily. They also learn to kick a ball forward.

2 Years Old:
By two years old, children can walk and run quite well, jump in place with both feet, and go up and down stairs by themselves. They can kick a ball with either foot.

3 Years Old:
At three, children can balance on one foot for a few seconds, jump forward 25-60 cm, and catch a large ball. They also start riding a tricycle and enjoy exploring various outdoor activities.

4 Years Old:

Four-year-olds run, jump, and climb with improved skill and begin learning to hop on one foot, play hopscotch, and do more solid jumps. Some children also start doing simple somersaults.

5 Years Old:
By five, children can skip, alternate hopping feet, and become more confident with activities like roller skating and swimming. Many can ride a bike without training wheels and climb with ease.

These milestones may not be the same for every child, but they provide a helpful guide for parents and teachers to track, support, and encourage gross motor development according to each child’s abilities and interests.

Encouraging children to engage in gross motor activities not only strengthens their physical health but also plays a vital role in their overall development. Here are some key benefits:

Boosting Health and Flexibility:
Activities like running, jumping, and climbing help children strengthen large muscle groups, improving stamina and flexibility. This lays a strong foundation for a healthy, energetic body.

Supporting Intellectual and Cognitive Development:
When children move, their brains work hard to coordinate and process each motion. New neural connections form, supporting logical thinking, focus, and problem-solving skills.

Enhancing Coordination and Balance:
Gross motor activities help children build body awareness, improve balance, and develop smooth coordination between different body parts. These skills are crucial for everyday activities and future learning.

Building Confidence and Independence:
As children conquer new physical challenges, they feel more confident in their abilities. These activities also foster a sense of independence, encouraging children to explore and learn at their own pace.

Thanks to these benefits, gross motor activities are an essential part of a child’s growth and development. Parents and teachers can create a supportive environment that encourages children to try new activities, helping them discover and grow each day.

Gross motor activities play a crucial role in building both the physical and mental foundation for children. Below are some suitable activities, grouped by age and environment, to help parents and teachers apply them easily:

Indoor Activities:

Infants and Toddlers:

• Crawling and Walking Over Various Surfaces: Create a safe space with pillows and blankets as obstacles to encourage crawling, walking, and exploring.
• Sitting on a Yoga Ball: With adult support, this activity helps children practice balance and strengthen their back and neck muscles.
  Playful Movement with Parents: Gentle exercises like raising arms and legs together with parents introduce children to large movements while strengthening the parent-child bond.

Older Children:

• Bounce House Play: Encourages flexibility and adds fun to active play.
• Jump Rope, Yoga, Dance: These activities help children develop coordination, flexibility, and confidence.
• Helping with Household Chores: Activities like tidying up, sweeping, or hanging clothes not only build gross motor skills but also nurture independence and practical life skills.

Read more: Yoga For Kids: 10 Children’s Yoga Poses

Outdoor Activities:

Infants and Toddlers:

• Water Play with Parents: This activity strengthens large muscle groups, helps children adjust to water environments, and improves reflexes.
• Swings and Slides: These activities build balance and boost body control.
• Outdoor Obstacle Courses: Exploring different surfaces like gravel and grass helps children develop better coordination.

Older Children:

• Swimming: Great for physical fitness and encourages children to explore confidently.
• Ice Skating, Snow Tubing: These activities strengthen balance and build muscle power.
• Roller Skating, Skateboarding: Teach children how to control and coordinate their entire body.
• Hopscotch, Jump Rope, Soccer, Swing Play: These activities bring joy while supporting comprehensive development, keeping children healthy and energetic.
• Playground Activities: From riding scooters and tricycles to hiking and bike riding, these experiences boost motor skills and confidence.

Read more: 20+ Fun and Engaging Physical Activities for Preschoolers

These activities can be adjusted based on each child’s interests and abilities, making movement fun and encouraging regular exercise. Parents and teachers can mix and match these playful activities to help children enjoy physical development and build social skills naturally.

Supporting children’s gross motor development requires not just patience, but also an understanding of the right intensity, activities, and environment. Here are some important tips for parents and teachers to keep in mind:

Intensity and Variety of Activities

Encouraging children to try different gross motor activities helps build overall health, confidence, and flexibility. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants and toddlers need at least 180 minutes of activity daily, ideally divided into small, manageable sessions.

For children ages 6 to 17, the American Heart Association recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day to promote heart health and build endurance.

No Need to Worry About Milestone Timelines

Every child grows at their own pace, and it’s normal if they don’t hit exact milestones for gross motor development. What matters most is for adults to stay involved, encourage them, and reach out to healthcare providers if any difficulties or delays are noticed.

Focus on Environment
The activity environment should be safe and age-appropriate. Parents can start with simple, gentle activities and gradually increase the duration and intensity to help children adapt naturally and feel secure.

By keeping these considerations in mind, parents and teachers can create a supportive and positive experience that helps children develop physically and emotionally while having fun.

Gross motor activities not only help children build strong, healthy bodies but also play a crucial role in developing confidence and social skills. When children are encouraged in a safe environment, they have more opportunities to explore, learn, and grow.

At La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh International School, gross motor activities are seamlessly integrated into our bilingual French-English curriculum, blending play and discovery to create a strong foundation for children’s overall growth. If you’d like to learn more about how we support your child’s development through engaging activities and a nurturing environment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!

• Phone: 028 3519 1521
• Email: contact@lpehochiminh.com
• Address: 172 – 180 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh city