What Are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills are the large body movements that involve the arms, legs, and core muscles. They include everything from rolling and sitting as a baby, to running, jumping, climbing, and throwing a ball as an older child.
These skills form the foundation for a child’s independence, physical confidence, and participation in everyday life. A child who struggles with gross motor skills may avoid physical play, fall behind their peers in sport, or find the demands of a busy school day physically exhausting.
Why Gross Motor Development Matters
Gross motor skills are not just about sport. They underpin a child’s ability to sit upright at a desk, move safely around a classroom, carry a school bag, and participate in playground activities. Strong core stability — a key gross motor skill — even supports fine motor function and handwriting.
Children who struggle with gross motor skills often experience reduced confidence in physical settings. They may avoid PE or playground games, which can affect both their physical health and their social connections.
Gross Motor Milestones by Age
0–6 Months
- Lifts head when lying on tummy (2 months)
- Pushes up onto hands during tummy time (3–4 months)
- Rolls from tummy to back (4–5 months)
- Rolls from back to tummy (5–6 months)
6–12 Months
- Sits independently (6–8 months)
- Crawls on hands and knees (8–10 months)
- Pulls to standing (9–11 months)
- Cruises along furniture and may take first steps (10–12 months)
1–2 Years
- Walks independently (12–15 months)
- Climbs onto low furniture
- Walks up stairs with support
- Runs (though often unsteadily)
- Kicks a stationary ball
2–3 Years
- Runs more smoothly
- Jumps with two feet together
- Walks up and down stairs with two feet per step
- Throws a ball overhand
- Pedals a tricycle
3–4 Years
- Hops on one foot briefly
- Catches a large ball with arms extended
- Climbs playground equipment
- Walks up stairs alternating feet
- Rides a tricycle confidently
4–5 Years
- Hops on one foot for five or more hops
- Skips
- Catches a bounced ball
- Balances on one foot for several seconds
- Begins to ride a balance bike or bicycle
5–7 Years
- Skips smoothly with alternating feet
- Rides a bicycle without stabilisers
- Catches a small ball reliably
- Jumps rope
- Participates in organised sports
Activities to Support Gross Motor Development
The best gross motor activities are the ones children enjoy enough to keep doing. Play-based movement is ideal — structured drills rarely motivate young children as effectively as genuine play.
For Babies and Toddlers
- Tummy time — essential for building neck, shoulder, and core strength from birth
- Rolling balls back and forth
- Supported standing and bouncing
- Soft play and cushion obstacle courses at home
For Preschoolers
- Outdoor play at the park — swings, slides, and climbing frames
- Simple obstacle courses using cushions, tunnels, and low steps
- Dancing and action songs
- Kicking and throwing balls in the garden
For School-Age Children
- Swimming — an excellent full-body activity for coordination and strength
- Trampolining (with appropriate supervision)
- Gymnastics, martial arts, or dance classes
- Playground games like hopscotch, tag, and skipping
- Bike riding and scootering
Red Flags to Watch For
Every child develops at their own pace, but some differences are worth flagging to a professional. Contact your paediatrician or a pediatric occupational therapist if your child:
- Is not sitting independently by 9 months
- Is not walking by 18 months
- Appears very stiff or very floppy in their movements
- Is significantly clumsier than their peers
- Avoids physical activity because of difficulty rather than preference
- Cannot hop, skip, or balance on one foot by age five
- Loses skills they previously had
How Occupational Therapy Helps
When gross motor difficulties are rooted in sensory processing, motor planning, or body awareness, occupational therapy is particularly effective. I work with children to identify the underlying causes — not just the surface-level difficulties — and address them through targeted, play-based intervention.
Families across Malta access OT support for gross motor concerns at all ages. Early intervention is most effective, but older children also make meaningful progress with the right support.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, contact us at +356 99872936 or visit wonderkids.mt to book an assessment.