Jenny and Jake love to take their 3-year-old twins to the local park and watch their different styles of play. One twin is physically adventurous – Liam loves to climb the trees, swing from the monkey bars and race across the grass. The other twin is curious – Lucas likes to use his bucket and spade to build and knock down sandcastles.
Both kids are having a great time and their play is supporting their development. Liam is using his gross motor skills while Lucas is using his fine motor skills.
What are gross motor skills?
Gross motor skills involve your child’s large muscle groups, used when they move their body. Your child uses their gross motor skills to roll over, crawl, stand, sit, walk, run or climb.
Activities that encourage development of gross motor skills include:
- Tummy time
- Obstacle courses
- Playing in a playground
- Going for a walk
- Running around
- Doing handstands or cartwheels
- Riding a bike
- Playing catch (to encourage hand-eye coordination)
- Walking along a balance beam.
What are fine motor skills?
Fine motor skills use small muscles in your child’s hands, wrists, fingers, feet and toes. Your child uses these for smaller, more controlled movements when they grasp objects and pick things up.
Fine motor skills activities include:
- Pressing buttons (e.g. on a lift or keyboard)
- Waving
- Building blocks or Lego
- Drawing or writing
- Cutting
- Playdough
- Sticking and gluing
- Using fidget toys
- Making necklaces from beads or pasta
- Bathtime – squeeze sponges, fill cups, pour water, play with toy boats
- Cooking – measuring and mixing ingredients
- Mealtimes – finger foods or using cutlery
- Popping bubble wrap
- Completing jigsaw puzzles
- Doing up buttons or tying shoelaces.
Fine and gross motor skills together
Your child will use both fine and gross motor skills almost constantly throughout life. The two skills complement each other, enabling your child to live an active and interesting life.
As they grow, they’ll use fine motor skills to create art, play music, write (or type), and cook. They’ll also use their gross motor skills to play sports, run for the bus, walk the dog or go for a swim on a hot summer day.
By weaving together both fine and gross motor activities in their daily lives, children grow not just in body, but also in confidence and ability, preparing them for a lifetime of movement, creativity, and discovery.
How can occupational therapy help fine and gross motor skills?
Occupational therapists often help children develop their fine motor skills. If your child seems to be finding it difficult to control those small muscles required to hold a pencil or tie their laces, then it may be helpful to see an OT who can help them develop strength and dexterity.
If you’re concerned about your child’s fine motor skills, please call us on 02 9913 3823 to book an appointment.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
References
- Queensland Government, Developing motor skills, https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/early-years/early-learning-at-home/play/developing-motor-skills, [Accessed 19 September 2024]
- Sydney Local Health District, Gross motor development, https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/hfhc/Gross-Motor-Development.html, [Accessed 19 September 2024]
