Listen & Subscribe on Your Platform of Choice:
Gross Motor Basics + Our Favorite Activities
We’ve done episodes on fine motor skills but this is our first time diving into gross motor skills!
There’s a LOT that goes into gross motor skill development, and we’re going to give you all the details plus our favorite gross motor activities!
Stay tuned to the end where we answer two listener questions: talking about speech therapy and working on new goals in therapy!
Links
Gross Motor Skills Activity Course
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Ep. 78 Interview Rachel Madel, SLP
Ep. 108 Muscle Tone vs. Muscle Strength
Ep. 139 Easy Ways to Incorporate Speech into Play
Ep. 147 Tips for Improving Body Awareness
Ep. 186 Interview Kian McBurnie, SLP
5 Step Obstacle Course YouTube Video
Gross Motor Basics + Our Favorite Activities
Gross motor skills play a fundamental role in a child’s ability to move, explore, and interact with their environment. From running and jumping to riding a bike, these large muscle movements support physical development, coordination, and overall confidence.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or occupational therapist, understanding gross motor skills—and how to improve them—can make a world of difference in a child’s growth and daily success.
What Are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills involve the large muscle groups of the body, including the legs, arms, trunk, and head. These skills enable children to perform daily activities such as walking, climbing, balancing, and playing sports.
Key areas of gross motor development include:
-
Balance & Postural Control – Maintaining stability while sitting, standing, or moving.
-
Locomotion – Moving from one place to another (e.g., crawling, walking, running).
-
Coordination – Controlling movements smoothly and efficiently.
-
Strength & Endurance – Sustaining activity for prolonged periods.
-
Body Awareness – Understanding body positioning in space.
Why Are Gross Motor Skills Important?
Strong gross motor skills are essential for everyday tasks and overall development. Children who struggle with these skills may find it difficult to participate in physical activities, navigate playgrounds, or maintain good posture in the classroom.
The benefits of developing gross motor skills include:
-
Improved coordination and balance.
-
Increased independence in daily activities.
-
Enhanced ability to participate in sports and play.
-
Better fine motor skill development (writing, buttoning clothes, etc.).
-
Strengthened sensory processing abilities, particularly in the vestibular and proprioceptive systems.
Signs Of Gross Motor Delays
Children who experience difficulties with gross motor development may show signs such as:
-
Avoiding physical activities like running or jumping.
-
Struggling with coordination (e.g., difficulty catching a ball).
-
Poor posture or frequent falling.
-
Challenges navigating stairs or playground equipment.
-
Delayed crawling, walking, or balancing skills.
If you notice these signs, early intervention through gross motor activities and therapy can support development and build confidence.
Fun & Effective Gross Motor Activities
Below are some of our favorite activities to help strengthen gross motor skills in a playful and engaging way.
1. Balance & Postural Control Activities
-
Balance Beams: Use a taped line on the floor or a narrow board for kids to walk across.
-
BOSU Ball Exercises: Encourage standing or squatting on a BOSU ball to improve core strength.
-
Swinging on a Platform Swing: This challenges the vestibular system while improving postural stability.
2. Locomotion (Moving From One Place To Another)
-
Obstacle Courses: Set up a course with tunnels, cones, and stepping stones to navigate through.
-
Scooter Board Races: Have kids use their arms and legs to propel themselves forward.
-
Animal Walks: Bear crawls, crab walks, and frog jumps are great for strength and coordination.
3. Coordination & Bilateral Integration
-
Jump Rope: A great way to practice rhythm, timing, and full-body coordination.
-
Hopscotch: Encourages balance, sequencing, and jumping skills.
-
Infinity Loop Walks: Tape a large figure-eight shape on the ground and have kids walk, crawl, or hop through it.
4. Strength & Endurance-Building Activities
-
Rock Climbing or Indoor Climbing Walls: These are excellent for upper body and core strength.
-
Martial Arts or Yoga: Structured movement activities promote flexibility, endurance, and coordination.
-
Jumping Jacks & Squats: Simple but effective for building lower body strength.
5. Body Awareness & Sensory Play
-
Simon Says with Movement: Great for body awareness and following directions.
-
Tactile Play with Sensory Bins: Walking barefoot on different textures enhances body awareness.
-
Heavy Work Activities: Pushing, pulling, or carrying weighted objects helps develop proprioception.
How To Integrate Gross Motor Activities Into Daily Life
-
Encourage outdoor play daily: Running, jumping, and climbing all help build strength naturally.
-
Incorporate movement into learning: Have kids do jumping jacks while spelling words or hopping between math problems.
-
Use therapy tools at home or in the classroom: Balance cushions, scooter boards, and resistance bands can make exercise fun.
-
Make it social: Play games with friends or family to encourage participation.
When To Seek Professional Support
If a child is significantly struggling with gross motor tasks despite regular practice, an occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) can provide specialized interventions. Therapy sessions focus on improving strength, coordination, and sensory processing skills to support overall development.
Final Thoughts
Building strong gross motor skills is crucial for childhood development and lays the foundation for success in daily life. By incorporating fun, engaging activities that promote balance, strength, and coordination, parents, educators, and therapists can empower children to move with confidence!
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
0 Responses
Leave a Comment