Gross Motor Development – Balancing, Running, and Climbing Made Fun

claire2876
Jul 31
2 min read

Gross motor skills are the foundation of your child’s physical development. These skills involve the large muscles of the body and help children move, play, explore, and interact with their environment.

When gross motor skills are delayed or underdeveloped, it can affect a child’s ability to keep up with peers, participate in sports, or feel confident navigating playgrounds and classrooms.

🏃 What Are Gross Motor Skills?

Gross motor skills include crawling, walking, running, jumping, climbing, and balancing. They also encompass core strength and coordination—essential for posture, endurance, and focus at school.

🔍 Signs Your Child May Have Gross Motor Challenges

Avoids playground equipment or physical games
Falls often or seems “clumsy”
Difficulty with hopping, skipping, or riding a bike
Poor balance or trouble standing on one foot
Tires quickly with physical activity
Awkward or stiff movement patterns
Trouble catching, throwing, or kicking a ball

These challenges can impact your child’s confidence, participation in group play, and readiness for school activities like PE or sitting still in class.

🏠 Fun Gross Motor Activities to Do at Home

Make movement part of play! These simple ideas build strength, balance, and coordination:

Obstacle courses using pillows, tunnels, and boxes
Animal walks: bear crawl, crab walk, frog jumps
Ball games: catch, throw at targets, or dribble
Balance beams: tape lines on the floor or use a plank
Jumping games: hopscotch, trampolines, or jumping races
Dance or freeze games with music

Encourage repetition and make it social—these activities are more effective when children are engaged and having fun.

📥 When to Refer to an OT for Gross Motor Skills

Frequent falls, poor balance, or avoidance of physical play
Clumsy or delayed movement compared to peers
Frustration or fatigue during movement tasks
Concerns raised by preschool or school teachers
Delays in achieving gross motor milestones (e.g. hopping, jumping, climbing)

Occupational therapists use fun, movement-based sessions to help children build core strength, coordination, and confidence in their bodies.

💬 Build Movement Confidence with OT Support

Our team is ready to assess your child’s motor skills and create a plan that makes movement fun again. Let’s get them back to jumping, climbing, and keeping up with their peers.