Gross motor development refers to the strengthening and control of larger muscles, including the neck, trunk, torso, arms and legs. Gross motor skills develop from the head down, which is evident in babies who gain control of their neck and upper bodies before they learn to walk. Children develop gross motor skills by participating in activities that engage their larger muscles. Physical play promotes the development of gross motor skills, and both indoor and outdoor activities that encourage movement help children to learn balance and coordination and gain control of larger muscles.
Step 1
Serve children nutritionally balanced meals, and teach older children about nutrition through hands-on activities, advises early childhood specialist Susan Jindrich. Children need to be healthy in order to develop the physical skills they need. Give children opportunities to help prepare food, and tell them why balanced meals are important for their healthy growth and development. Children need to know that protein promotes muscle development, calcium supports strong bones and healthy carbohydrates provide the energy they need for play.
Step 2
Provide opportunities for children to move around and explore their indoor and outdoor environment. Even babies need time to explore on their own in order to develop gross motor skills. A baby needs tummy time on the floor to help her learn to lift her head and chest. Older babies needs space to crawl, sturdy objects to pull up on and access to colorful toys that encourage reaching and grasping. As children grow, they need active play time that allows them to master locomotor movements such as walking, running, skipping and jumping, according to the North Dakota State University Extension.
Step 3
Give children access to age-appropriate riding toys, rope ladders, swingsets and an assortment of balls. Coordination and balance are important components of gross motor development that children learn as a result of nonlocomotor movements such as "pushing, pulling, twisting, turning, wiggling, sitting and rising," reports the North Dakota State University Extension.
Step 4
Use group games to help children develop gross motor skills. Encourage children to walk both straight and curvy chalk lines as part of a game or relay, use hopscotch boards and teach children jump rope games. Organize relays where children are encouraged to hold a small ball between their knees. Sack races and races that require children to run or walk backwards also help children develop gross motor skills.
Step 5
Play ball with your child. This activity promotes large motor development in children of all ages. You can roll a ball to an infant, play toss and catch games with toddlers using large balls and advance to assorted sizes of balls to play catch with preschoolers. Almost any type of ball activity will teach gross motor skills, so incorporate games such as kick ball, monkey in the middle and dodge ball.
