Gross Motor Skills

Physiotherapists are the Gross Motor Guru’s - it’s our jam! Gross motor skills are the bigger movements - things like rolling, crawling, walking, running and jumping. Physiotherapists are able to assess how muscles and joints move and help to identify why a child may not be able to complete a Gross Motor Skill (yet!)

Gross Motor skills in babies and infants involves rolling, crawling, walking and learning to run. Gross Motor Skills in young children involves running, jumping, hopping, kicking, catching, throwing, balancing and riding a bike.

Paediatric Physiotherapists work with children and families to help support gross motor skills. There are many reasons that children may not be able to demonstrate a specific skill, and often, repetitive practice of the specific skill will not improve their capacity. A physiotherapist is able to assess how a child is moving and suggest a targeted treatment plan to help build a child’s confidence in performing a gross motor skill.

Children Physiotherapists are able to assess children and identify what is holding them back from doing a gross motor task. For example, children with difficulty kicking or running may actually have difficulty standing on one leg, or similarly, children with difficulty catching a ball may have difficulty with their proprioception (body position awareness). By identifying the specific aspect of the task that requires assistance, children are able to practice the area they require assistance and achieve success.

If you have concerns about your child’s Gross Motor Skills, the first professional you should be seeing is a physiotherapist. If the physiotherapist has any concerns about how a child is moving, they will refer on to the most appropriate professional, such a radiologist or medical specialist.