Top tips: Gross motor skill development for your little human
About gross motor skills in children
Gross motor skill development is at the core of our children growing stronger by the day. We love to see each and every one of our clients move closer to their goals through various activities along the way. Physiotherapy can play an important role in improving the development of gross motor skills assisting with your child’s posture, coordination, balance, walking, sitting, and standing.
Activities such as throwing and catching, jumping, climbing and balancing, running and changing direction, can all benefit your child in developing their gross motor skills.
Sometimes we forget to assess where our children are at with their development, and in particular their gross motor skills. The physiotherapists at Adelaide Paediatrics are experts in child and baby development and the development of their movement.
Movement allows our little humans to explore their bodies and how they work. Being able to move easily and successfully is essential for babies and children to learn and grow.
Strong cores are building blocks
Everything starts with a strong core. A strong core is the fundamental base and building blocks for developing gross motor skills, and essentially helps to coordinate the movement of arms and legs.
Easy ways you can help strengthen your child’s core at home:
Encourage playing in different positions – activities such as animal walks can be very effective – walking like a bear or crab requires lots of control and helps build core muscle. Also, the “wheelbarrow position” where you hold your child’s legs and they walk on their hands in a straight plank position is great for building core muscle.
Go to your local park and play on the swings. Swinging helps to engage core muscles while having fun in the process.
Musical statues and “Simon Says” are great games to encourage children to hold certain postural positions.
If you have a gym ball at home this is great fun for children and core exercises at the same time.
Visit places such as Bounce or play cafés where they have soft surfaces as these encourage children to hold their core automatically to manoeuvre around and play.
Swimming is also a great activity that helps build strength and endurance in a child core muscle.
Paediatric physiotherapists can help your baby or child:
Achieve milestones for their age
If they’re bottom shuffling for too long or are delayed in walking
If they’re continuing to toe walk.
Having difficulty with motor skills such as jumping, hopping and climbing.
If they have disabilities
Have lower limb alignment issues such as flat feet, knock knees and bow legs
If they’re overly flexible
Following an injury or trauma
Require rehabilitation
It’s important to us here at Adelaide Paediatrics to use a holistic approach when it comes to your child’s physiotherapy. We know that every child is different and has a unique set of needs. Taking into account their physical, emotional, sensory, social and cognitive abilities is important when assessing how we work together.
We love to see your child grow and develop which ultimately helps them at school, at home and everywhere in between.
For a little more information or help with your child’s learning and development, we’d love you to reach out to us here at Adelaide Paediatrics.
Make a booking
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Adelaide Paediatrics Ashford
Suite 15, Level 3 Ashford Specialist Centre
57-59 Anzac Highway
Ashford SA 5035T: 08 7123 6171
F: 08 7123 0821 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Bedford Park
Mark Oliphant Building
8/5 Laffer Drive
Bedford Park
SA 5042T: 08 7123 6149
F: 08 7123 0821 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Elizabeth Vale
32 Oldham Road
Elizabeth Vale
SA 5112T: 08 7123 6148
F: 08 7123 0821 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Kensington Park
360 Magill Road
Kensington Park SA 5068T: 08 7123 6176
F: 08 7123 0821 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Mile End
71 Henley Beach Road
Mile End SA 5031T: 08 7123 6147
F: 08 7123 0821 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Morphett Vale
221-223 Main South Road
Morphett Vale SA 5162T: 08 7123 6163
F: 08 7123 0821 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Mount Barker
2/50 Victoria Road
Mount Barker SA 5251T: 08 7123 6175
F: 08 7123 0821 -
Adelaide Paediatrics North Adelaide
Calvary Hospital
89 Strangways Terrace
North Adelaide SA 5006T: 08 7123 6173
F: 08 8239 9119 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Wayville
The Terraces
4-6 Goodwood Road
Wayville SA 5034T: 08 7123 6177
F: 08 7123 0821