Gross Motor Development
“As an occupational therapist, I’ve worked with a range of neurodiverse children and adults with diagnoses such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral, acquired brain injuries as well as neurodegenerative conditions. One of the most powerful tools we have to promote both physical and neurological health is supporting our fine and gross motor skill development.”
So what exactly are gross motor skills, and why are they so important?
Gross motor skills involve the use of large muscle groups to move and stabilise the body. These are foundational for mobility, balance, and posture—but they also affect cognition, emotional regulation, and participation.
Simply put, our motor skills are deeply connected to a person’s ability to safely participate in everyday life activities with independence, confidence and purpose. Gross motor skills also underpin our ability to stay socially connected as well as engage in meaningful roles, such as a student, employee, friend or family member. All these elements in turn support our social emotional health and lifelong wellbeing.
How do gross motor skills influence our physical and neurological health?
Body Awareness & Motor Planning
Gross motor activities build a sense of where the body is in space (known as proprioception), supporting our movement coordination and spatial awareness. This is essential for promoting physical safety and wellbeing of clients as they are less likely to inadvertently bump into objects or people within their environment. Over time, these skills support independent navigation of different environments, in turn promoting self-confidence, quality of life and overall wellbeing.
Physical strength, endurance and longevity.
Regular gross motor activity helps prevent sedentary behaviour and improves muscle tone, cardiovascular health, endurance and joint stability. Each of these factors are vital for reducing fatigue, risk of falls as well as other chronic health conditions associated with physical inactivity such as obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Neurological and cognitive functioning.
Movement has been proven to promote important executive functioning skills such as attention, working memory and impulse control. This is especially beneficial for individuals who experience challenges with emotional regulation or learning. Increasing these executive functioning skills has been proven to promote learning engagement which increases academic and social outcomes. Positive academic and social outcomes have been linked with increased chances of employment, independent living and improved quality of life.
Social participation
Gross motor competence promotes peer inclusion and friendships, which are protective factors for mental health. For example, a child who can run, throw a ball, or ride a scooter is better equipped with joining in schoolyard games or weekend playdates at the park. When we feel confident engaging in group activities, we are more likely to experience a sense of belonging and reduced social isolation over time.
Independent daily living.
Gross motor skills are involved in numerous activities of daily living such as transferring in/out of bed or chair as well as personal care activities such as toileting, washing and dressing ourselves. Therefore, developing and maintaining our gross motor skills is vital for promoting self-management skills and social participation, in turn promoting long term social-emotional wellbeing.
Confidence & Motivation
Accomplishing new physical tasks builds our self-efficacy, or the belief in one’s ability to succeed. This fuels motivation to engage in further physical, social, and learning opportunities—crucial for lifelong resilience and wellbeing.
Final thoughts.
Every individual’s goals are different, but the role of movement is universal. Whether it’s catching the bus, joining a soccer game, or reaching a shelf independently, gross motor skills make life more accessible, enjoyable, and empowering.