Let’s Get Moving with Gross Motor Skills!

By Isabelle Plomp – M.Ed., ECE Dip.

Gross motor skills refer to the larger muscles that help us move our body.  In the first few years of life, humans go from being totally reliant on others for their daily needs to being able to walk, jump, run and move on their own accord in almost all cases.  Much of this occurs naturally, but young children that are encouraged to move and be active often supersede others that are more passive.  It is through the child’s interaction with the environment and other people that they develop gross motor skills. 

Once infants develop head control, tummy time is a vital activity that helps to support gross motor development and interaction with their environment.  Children need exposure to a wide variety of activities in various environments to fully achieve gross motor mastery.  Early childhood expert Lisa Murphy states that we are designed to be in motion – we were born and conceived in motion.  Our bodies often seek motion and moving our bodies can help to regulate us.  She states that the brain is activated when the whole body is used.  Many children actually learn better when they are moving.

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for all ages is available at 24-Hour Movement Guidelines – Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (csepguidelines.ca)  It indicates that children that are 1 – 2 years old should have “at least 180 minutes per day spent in a variety of physical activities at any intensity, including energetic play, spread throughout the day – more is better.”  Preschoolers that are 3 or 4 years old should also have “at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day, of which 60 minutes is energetic play” and again they suggest that more is better.  Getting sufficient gross motor activity throughout the day generally provides better sleep not just for children, but people of all ages.

Rough and tumble play involves physical contact with others in playful ways.  This helps the child to not only develop strength and coordination, but also to read the body language of others.  Dr. Sergio Pellis from the University of Lethbridge has completed research in this area that has been referenced across the world.

Risky play involves elements of risk that children can manage.  This does not mean throwing safety out the window, but rather allowing children more opportunities to problem solve, challenge their skills, and sometimes have others “coach” them through a difficult skill such as climbing a tree, playing with sticks, crossing muddy rocks, etc.  If children are not allowed to do these types of activities, they miss out on many opportunities to develop confidence, critical thinking, and gross motor skills.

A prime environment for developing gross motor skills is outdoors in nature and on playgrounds.  The outdoor environment presents a multitude of opportunities for learning and development.  Climbing on playgrounds, pumping the swing, hanging from monkey bars and so on develops shoulder strength and hand grasp necessary for the development of fine motors skills of writing, drawing and such.  Walking along a log promotes balance and coordination.  A ball can be used to catch, kick or shoot promoting eye-hand/foot coordination, balance, and much more.  Gross motor skills can certainly be addressed indoors as well, but the added sensory experience in the outdoors also assists in children’s sensory learning and regulation.  Getting outside when it is cold, windy, rainy, snowy, hot, etc. can be lots of fun when children are dressed properly.  Dr. Pasi Sahlberg, author of “Let the Children Play” comes from Finland and states that there is no such thing as “bad weather” but rather “bad clothing” when it comes to getting children outside to play.

An added benefit of developing gross motor skills is that it often does not need to involve a cost – simply getting outside and moving is all that is required.  There are also many community opportunities, most often with a cost, to involve children in programs such as gymnastics, swimming, biking, skating, hockey, etc.  Indoors at home, children can dance to music, navigate an obstacle course, build forts out of furniture and blankets, play “hide & go seek”, and so much more.  Crumple up paper from the recycling bin and have an indoor “snowball” fight with the whole family.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s gross motor development, your family physician is a great place to start.  There are also children’s pediatric physiotherapists through Alberta Health Services that can support your child’s gross motor development.

Get moving alongside your children for added benefits to your own health as well!!

 References:

Murphy, L. (2009). Play – The Foundation that Supports the House of Higher Learning.  Rochester, New York: Ooey Gooey, Inc.

Sahlberg, P., Doyle, W. (2019).  Let the Children Play – How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive.  New York, New York: Oxford University Press.

Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP)  www.csepguildlines.ca 

Photo credit:  A Boy Playing in the Playground - Photos by Canva