How to Improve a Child's Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are developed in children beginning in infancy. They require the use of the large muscle groups and are related to the skills of walking, running, jumping, hopping and skipping. These skills are best developed with plenty of play, especially outside play. With just a little encouragement and participation, a child's gross motor skills will improve over time.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Simple Things To Do
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1
Play catch with a balloon or large ball. A balloon is much slower than a ball, which allows more time to catch it. Playing with a balloon will help a child track it in the air, and grab onto it. Large balls also are easier to catch and throw. As a child gets better at playing catch, smaller balls can be used to continue improving catching and throwing.
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2
Create an obstacle course for your child to run through. Set up small barriers in a yard or park to run around, jump over, etc. You can use natural things that are already present (like rocks or hills) or use cardboard boxes and cones to create a customized course. The course should encourage moving from side to side, jumping and even crawling. Start with simple movements, and modify it over time to make it more difficult. Don't be afraid to run the course right along with your child!
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3
Play hopscotch. The jumping helps develop balance and large muscle skills, as well as counting skills. A hopscotch board can be drawn with chalk on any flat outdoor surface. It's possible to purchase indoor hopscotch mats as well.
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4
Visit a playground and encourage climbing on the jungle gyms. Climbing works many large muscles and helps strengthen balance skills. Kids love the opportunity to climb, so choose a park with a variety of climbing areas.
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5
Encourage walking along a curb, a two-by-four board, or any raised area to encourage balance. Have the child hold an item in one hand while balancing, and then switch hands. When it's easy to walk forward, ask the child to walk backward.
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6
Act out different animals. Have your child hop like a kangaroo, or crawl like a crab. This is a fun game, and can be played indoors or out.
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7
Play Simon Says. Act out large motions that your child has to copy. You can hop, stretch, do jumping jacks, stand on one foot, or a million other actions that work different muscles.
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8
Play tag outdoors. When your child is "it," move quickly from side to side, change directions often and keep close enough to make it fun. When you are "it," be sure to let your child run and don't catch them too quickly.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Encourage outside play in children of all ages.
Keep it fun!
