Gross motor activities use the large muscles of the body to create total body movements (i.e. rolling, sitting, standing, walking, running, jumping and stair climbing).
Infants and toddlers use gross motor movements to explore their environment and it their primary means of learning. Delays in one area can lead to delays in other areas. For example a child needs to be able to move around their environment to explore toys and develop spatial concepts (cognitive skills). Another example is the development of speech and language, which requires proper breath support, coordination/motor planning and strong core muscles (which is developed through the practice of gross motor skills).
Identifying the need for intervention: For infants and toddlers, there are milestones, which most children achieve by a certain age. Please click here to view milestone chart for children birth to three. There is a wide range for what is considered "typical" and all children mature at different rates. However typical development is full of variety (i.e. children sit in many different positions) and if your child is always using the same pattern or positions (i.e. always slouched or leaning on objects) this may be an indication there is underlying weakness that can lead to a gross motor delay.
Preschool and school aged children use gross motor skills to
- get on/off the bus
- negotiate school environment (steps, ramps, uneven surfaces)
- sit in a classroom chair
- get on/off floor for circle time
- walk inline with classmates in the hallway
- playground, gym time (running, jumping, ball skills etc)
For school aged children, a gross motor delay can lead to difficulty socializing with peers (if they cannot "keep up with them" during play activities) and/or difficulty in the classroom (the child cannot attend to teacher if they are focused on motor tasks).
Identifying the need for intervention: Please click here to view milestones chart for children three to five years old. As with infants and toddlers, typical development is full of variety (i.e. children sit in many different positions) and if your child is always using the same pattern or positions (i.e. always slouched or leaning on objects) this may be an indication there is underlying weakness that can lead to a gross motor delay. School aged children with gross motor delays may have difficulties with activities listed above, lean on objects or people for stability, frequently trip/fall or be fearful or hesitant of stairs/playground time.
If you have a concern and your child is school aged, speak with your child's teacher and/or your pediatrician.
All of the above information is just a guideline and cannot be used to meet eligibility for early intervention or school based therapy. A child (age birth to three) must go through the early intervention process to determine if they are eligible for services. For school aged children, the school district will determine if school based services are needed. If your child does not qualify for early intervention or school based therapy you can speak with your pediatrician to determine if medical based physical therapy is warranted (using your health insurance or private pay).
