Gross motor skills describe the body's ability to move large muscle groups such as legs, arms, torso and feet. Fostering gross motor skill development in early childhood supports long-term health and well-being as you aid their physical and mental development.
Popular activities for gross motor skill development:
- Hopscotch
Use sidewalk chalk to create a hopscotch grid of eight squares, numbering them from one to eight. Instruct your child and demonstrate how to play.
- Scavenger hunt
Hide objects around the house for your child to search and find. For older children, turn off the lights and utilize a flashlight with clues and direction.
- Follow the leader
Ask your child to follow and mimic your actions as you move around the house incorporating different characters such as a robot, explorer, fireman, or airplane.
- Bowling ball
Setup a stack of non-breakable objects to knock over with a ball or beanbag.
- Obstacle course
Create an outdoor obstacle course with cones, tape, hula-hoops, chairs and boxes.
- Hallway soccer
Place a box on its side at the end of a hallway that your child can kick a ball into with better success. In the absence of a long enough hallway, set up a lane using pillows or other structured items.
- Popping bubbles
Blow bubbles into the air and watch your child chase and pop them.
- Train track
Create a train track or trails made with tape on the house floor and/or use sidewalk chalk outside for your child to follow dropping and picking up cargo at designated points.
