04/04/2025
Gross motor skills are the movements we make with large muscles, like those in our legs, arms and trunk. These include running, walking, jumping, hopping, riding a bike and many others. Children who have difficulty learning some of these skills may have frequent falls or injuries, avoid trying, become sad or frustrated, or with older children, may isolate themselves from their peers due to low self-confidence and/or anxiety about the skills they are aware that they do not yet have.
Simple opportunities exist within our daily lives to promote practice of the gross motor skills our children are challenged with. These opportunities are almost always maximised first, by connection and participation with loving parent or caregiver, and second, by keeping it simple and in line with your child’s strengths and interests. In last week’s sudden downpour, my daughter was fascinated to play in the rain. Together she and I practiced puddle stomping (builds single leg balance as a foundation for running and hopping), puddle jumping (builds leg strength and coordination) and running in the puddles and on the slippery grass (incorporates varied surfaces and sensory experiences to manage her body control and balance).
Keep it fun, keep it simple and most importantly, enjoy the time together! ☔️🌈💗 xx Annie Kids Club Physio
