LEARN WITH MAY
Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. By creating games and providing opportunities for play, both indoors and outdoors, adults can support children in developing their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, coordination, and agility. Whenever possible, outdoor play provides children with the freedom to explore their range of movement and try new things.
Gross motor skills refer to the abilities and coordination of the large muscles and movements of the body. These skills involve the use of multiple muscle groups and are crucial for various physical activities and everyday tasks. Gross motor skills encompass a wide range of movements, including those related to balance, strength, coordination, and agility. They are typically divided into different categories:
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Locomotor Skills: These skills involve moving the body from one place to another. Examples include walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, galloping, and crawling. Locomotor skills are fundamental for getting around and participating in physical activities.
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As May makes her way around the park, she uses a range of movements: walking, running, hopping, jumping, twirling, spinning, leaping, and marching. Whenever you are outdoors, ask your child, "Can you hop like May? Can you spin like May? Show me!"
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Alternatively, follow the link below to find a game that can be played indoors or outdoors that can be used to develop a range of movement.
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Object Control Skills: Object control skills involve manipulating objects with the body or using equipment. Examples include throwing, catching, kicking, hitting (as in batting a ball), and bouncing. These skills are important for sports and games.
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Balance Skills: Balance is essential for maintaining an upright position and stability while moving. Children develop balance skills through activities such as standing on one foot, balancing on a balance beam, or walking on a narrow surface. Good balance is crucial for activities like riding a bike or skating.
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Strength and Endurance: Developing strength in large muscle groups, particularly the legs and core, is essential for activities that require power and stability. Endurance refers to the ability to sustain physical activity over time. Both strength and endurance are important for activities like running, swimming, and playing sports.
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Coordination: Gross motor coordination involves the precise and efficient use of multiple muscle groups to perform a movement or activity. For example, hand-eye coordination is necessary for catching and throwing a ball accurately, and eye-foot coordination is essential for activities like kicking a ball into a goal.
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Gross motor skills typically develop gradually as children grow and gain experience through play, sports, and physical activities. They are essential for daily activities such as walking, running, climbing, and playing, as well as for participating in organised sports and recreational activities. Developing strong gross motor skills in early childhood is important for overall physical fitness, independence, and the ability to engage in a wide range of physical and recreational activities throughout life.
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Fine Motor Skills - Activities at bottom of page
Fine motor skills refer to the coordination and control of small muscle movements in the hands, fingers, and wrists, as well as the ability to use these skills for precise and detailed tasks. These skills are essential for various everyday activities and tasks that require precision and dexterity. Fine motor skills can be divided into several categories:
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Grasping and Manipulating: This category involves the ability to grasp and manipulate objects. Fine motor skills related to grasping include the development of the pincer grasp (using the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects), the palmar grasp (using the entire hand to grasp), and the tripod grasp (holding a writing tool between the thumb and first two fingers).
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Hand-Eye Coordination: Fine motor skills require the coordination of hand movements with visual input. This includes activities like using scissors to cut along lines, coloring within the lines, and threading a needle.
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Finger Dexterity: Finger dexterity involves the ability to move individual fingers with precision. This skill is important for tasks such as playing musical instruments, typing on a keyboard, and assembling small objects.
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Drawing and Writing: Fine motor skills are crucial for drawing and writing with accuracy and control. Children typically progress from making simple marks and shapes to forming letters and numbers.
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Buttoning and Zipping: These skills involve the ability to manipulate small fasteners like buttons, snaps, and zippers on clothing.
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Using Tools: Fine motor skills are needed to use tools such as scissors, tweezers, paintbrushes, and eating utensils effectively.
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Building and Constructing: Fine motor skills are employed when children stack blocks, build with Legos, or create intricate structures using small building materials.
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Art and Crafts: Activities like cutting paper, gluing, and crafting require fine motor control for detailed and creative work.
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Self-Help Skills: Fine motor skills are vital for self-care tasks like tying shoelaces, brushing teeth, and buttoning clothing.
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Fine motor skills develop gradually as children grow and gain experience. They are crucial for a child's independence and ability to engage in various academic, artistic, and daily living tasks. Supporting the development of fine motor skills through activities and practice is important for a child's overall physical and cognitive development.
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Follow the links below for fine motor activities: