How to Develop Gross Motor Skills in Children
Gross motor skills facilitate the movement of the large muscle groups that are necessary for running, walking, skipping, or riding a bike. Children begin developing these skills in infancy when they crawl and try to sit up. Development continues as they learn to walk, run, and maintain balance. Although most kids begin gross motor development at home, there are ways you can supplement with activities at school, in and out of the classroom.
Instructions
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Encourage children to play games that involve physical balance. The Children's Encyclopedia of Health recommends the games "Wheelbarrow" and "Kangaroo Hop." In Wheelbarrow, an adult or bigger child holds the child's legs while they walk on their hands. In Kangaroo Hop, children hold a small ball between their knees and jump in all directions with their feet together. These are fun ways to improve balance and motor skills.
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Modify outside activities for use in the classroom. Get kids to roll on mats and play hopscotch on rugs. If you have enough space, kids can play "Ring Around The Roses" or "Simon Says." These are fun alternatives to the playground during inclement weather.
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Assign particular activities while on the playground. Get the children to spend at least 10 minutes on the jungle gym, monkey bars, and see-saw. These apparatuses require large muscle movement that improve gross motor skills.
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Establish a plan with the physical education teacher for developing gross motor skills. In addition to conducting exercise sessions, the P.E. teacher may be able to integrate specific activities like throwing, kicking, and hitting baseballs, footballs, or soccer balls. Children will improve hand-eye coordination as well as develop muscles.
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Don't neglect recess. Teachers often sacrifice playtime to review for tests or to get caught up on paperwork. While recess is unstructured "free play," its benefits are multi-dimensional. Kids get aerobic exercise, use most large muscle groups, and learn social interaction and relational skills.
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