
Supporting Physical Development in Children: Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills
Physical development in children occurs from birth to eight years old; however, the majority of that development happens before the age of three. Their physical development is divided into two categories: Gross motor skills and fine motor skills. And it is absolutely vital to understand what these skills are and how one can support them in order to encourage growth. Gross Motor Skills in Children By definition, gross motor skills are those that require whole-body movements and involve large stabilized muscles for everyday functions. In children, gross motor skills are the earliest efforts to move and begin traveling on their own. Using the entire body not only increases a child’s confidence it also improves their agility and flexibility. While not every child will develop their gross motor skills on the same timeline as others, it’s crucial to watch and understand your specific child’s development, as they may need assistance from