When doing these activities, please do with adult supervision at all times. To download a copy of this information, please download this document
What are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills (i.e., physical skills) are those that require our whole-body movement and involve the large core stabilising muscles of our body which help us to perform everyday gross motor movements, such as walking, running, jumping, and sitting upright at a table.
Below you will find some simple activities that you can do to help develop and improve the following gross motor skill areas:
Posture The muscles around the hips need to work together with strength and symmetry to provide the stability needed for good posture and for a stable base of support to sit, stand and walk.
Activities to help:
| Sitting on a therapy ball/wobble cushion at a table to do a task or activity | Jumping on trampoline |
| Tug of War | Swimming |
| Animal Walks (e.g., crab football) | Ride a bike or scooter |
| Use of playground equipment | Sit-ups and push-ups |
| Doing activities lying on your stomach, propped up on your forearms (e.g., reading, drawing, watching TV) | Running |
Coordination Promoting use of both sides of the body at the same time.
Activities to help:
| Playing musical instruments – cymbals, drum, bells in each hand | Pushing trolley, wheelbarrow
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| Throwing and catching a ball | Obstacle course – in / out tires, hoops, stepping-stones, along line or balance beam |
| Star jumps | Skipping/Jump rope |
| Dancing | Swimming |
| Bat ball games, standing sideways to ball | Climbing – playground equipment |
Balance The ability to maintain a controlled body position during both static (still) and dynamic (moving) tasks and activities, such as sitting at a table, walking on a balance beam, or stepping up into a kerb.
Activities to help:
| Football | Riding a scooter or bike |
| Hopscotch | Walking on a line/marching/giant steps/walking heel to toe |
| Musical chairs/statues | Walking on stilts |
| Hopping | Pogo sticks/skateboard/roller blading and/or skating |
Useful websites:
https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/gross-motor-skills/balance-coordination/
https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/gross-motor-skills/
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
https://sourcekids.com.au/apps-to-help-gross-motor-skills/
Useful Apps:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/get-inspired/43491597