Any child needs to practice gross motor skills right from infancy. The more proficient gross motor skills are, the better a child's physical development, cardiovascular health, height and cognitive thinking will be. So do parents know clearly about their children's gross motor skills? Let's find out with the article below.
What are children's gross motor skills?
Gross motor skills are the movements of large muscle groups in the neck, back, arms, legs and trunk. Not only does it keep the body balanced, gross movements also help babies perform basic to complex activities such as rolling, crawling, slithering, walking, standing, running, jumping, kicking, grasping... Gross motor skills are formed before fine motor skills and are the foundation that marks a child's development.
The benefits of gross motor skills for children
Improve health: Large muscle groups move more, the baby increases the ability to adapt to living conditions outside the mother's womb. Furthermore, gross movements also help your baby stay healthy and strong, reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and obesity.
Release energy: When your baby performs gross motor activities such as balancing, running, playing... it will help the body consume energy naturally and safely. Thanks to that, your baby will feel healthy, eat well and sleep better.
Brain development and fine motor skills: Gross motor skills help children coordinate and master balance skills, muscle strength and control. This is also the premise for the child's brain neural network to be completed and help develop effective fine motor skills.
Build confidence in children: When children flexibly use gross motor skills, they will be more confident in physical activities.
Milestones in the development of children's gross motor skills
At each different stage, children's gross motor skills will have remarkable development. Below are milestones in the development of children's gross motor skills for parents to easily follow.
Babies from 0-3 months: Babies begin to actively move their legs and arms.
Babies from 3-6 months: At this stage, the large muscle groups in the child's abdomen, back and limbs move well. Baby can turn left, right, face down and lie back again.
Baby from 6-9 months: Baby can sit but not yet firmly. Parents should sit next to their baby to support them when needed, combined with movement toys to help the baby explore and develop gross motor skills.
Children from 1-2 years old: Starting at this age, children begin to practice standing and holding on to objects to walk. Therefore, the baby's leg muscles also work effectively.
Children 2-3 years old: Children can run, jump, and play freely.
Children 3-4 years old: Children's gross motor skills develop better. Baby has good balance and can stand on one leg.
Children from 4-5 years old: Children can hop on one foot.
Children aged 5-6 years: Children's gross motor skills are almost complete. Parents should create conditions for their children to exercise more to develop physically and intellectually.
Children 6 years and older: Children are proactive in their activities and gestures.
Things to note when developing children's gross motor skills
- Create a safe and airy play environment to help children feel excited and comfortable when moving.
- Support your baby to develop gross motor skills with simple daily activities such as exercising, bathing, practicing lying on the stomach, learning to walk, using movement toys...
- Parents only let their baby exercise when they are really ready. The intensity of exercise is slow and gradual to observe the baby's ability to adapt.
- Parents should combine play and exercise to achieve the best results. Don't forget to give words of encouragement when your child does a new activity or skill.
Above is the information parents need to know about their children's gross motor skills. This skill will help your baby develop physically and intellectually. Please regularly follow Mykingdom's " Handbook " section to see many other useful articles for parents.
