Motor skills are those that require movement of the muscles. Gross motor refers to the use of the large muscles like those used for crawling or walking. Motor development occurs in a predictable manner from the head down to the legs. First, a baby acquires head control and then develops control of the arms and hands. The baby will reach for toys and put his thumb in his mouth. Development of control then progresses to the pelvis which is seen when a baby learns to roll over. Finally, development progresses to the legs and it is then that us parents can celebrate crawling and walking.

An occupational or physical therapist who evaluates the skills of a young child will look at how the baby is performing foundational movements such as holding his head up, reaching and grasping with the arms and hands as well as movement at the hips to allow for crawling and standing. The therapist can assess the strength of the babies’ abdominal muscles by how well the baby can lift its feet in the air. How well the hip muscles are working can be seen as the baby tries to lift himself from lying on his stomach to all fours. Reflexes will also be assessed. Babies are born with some reflexes that serve an important function when the baby is an infant but then the reflexes are suppose to dissipate as they are not needed and as the baby gains more control on his own. Sometimes these reflexes do not dissipate and then they interfere with the progression of development.

As a child gets older and approaches school age, gross motor skills refer to more complex skills that include underlying skills of balance and coordination. These are the skills that a parent sees a child demonstrating at the playground; like jumping, running, sliding, hopping, and climbing. A physical therapist who evaluates a child at an older age would look to see how well the child is walking, jumping, running and catching a ball. She might look at how well the child uses his dominant arm and leg compared to the non-dominant arm and leg. Older children should have a clear preference for their right or left arm as well as a clear preference for their right or left leg.

Gross motor skills are enhanced at all ages by encouraging your child to move. At a young age a therapist can help you determine how to support your child and encourage them to increased freedom of movement. At an older age, encouraging movement can not only be fun but it can be accomplished through games. As you progress through this website you will find many toys that will foster movement.