Abstract: Acquiring motor skills is just one part of children’s development.
This article explains how both fine and gross motor skills are important for children’s growth and independence, and also empowers parents for early identification of gross and fine motor skills.
Do you Undergo the Following Problems with your Children?
- Is your child unable to turn his/her own head?
- Is your child unable to sit properly?
- Does your child face balancing problems while walking?
- Is your child unable to hold objects properly?
Introduction:
Fine motor skills are involved in smaller movements, which include those of the wrist, hand, fingers, feet and toes. They are used for smaller actions such as picking up objects, writing carefully, and holding objects.
Gross motor skills are involved in larger movements. These include coordination of arms, legs and other large body parts and movements.
| Fine Motor Skills | Gross Motor Skills |
|---|---|
| The coordination of small muscles, in movements – usually involving the synchronization of hands and fingers – with the eyes. |
Larger movements your baby makes with his arms, legs, feet or entire body. |
Here is a useful checklist you can refer to:
Fine Motor Skills:
- New born baby will respond by moving his/her arms if anything interesting catches the eye.
- Naturally grasps small objects that are placed in his/her hand.
- Babies watch and follow objects as well as hold them for a longer period of time.
- Babies shake objects and release them voluntarily.
- Hold objects and plays with them.
- Build blocks by grasping.
- Insert puzzle pieces.
- They scribble on papers with pencils/pens.
- Uses house hold items properly, e.g. : Uses spoon correctly and holds glass correctly, etc.
- Puts on and removes simple items of clothing, zips and unzips large zippers.
- Cuts papers with scissors.
- Copies whatever is drawn on a paper, e.g. Copies vertical lines and horizontal lines.
- Writes with pencils/pens without any assistance.
- Ties shoes on his/her own correctly.
- Serves himself/herself food properly.
- Draws pictures, sketches or crayons etc.
- Cuts out simple shapes with scissors.
- Cuts with knife.
- Copies some numbers and simple words.
Gross Motor Skills:
- Babies lift their heads briefly from prone position.
- Babies keep rolling from front to back and vice-versa.
- Babies can crawl forward with their belly.
- Can initially sit with support, and ability to sit independently follows very soon.
- Starting to pull to stand.
- Is able to walk 2-3 steps with support, and ability to walk independently follows soon.
- Walks around the home without any support.
- To pick up toys, and look between legs while standing.
- Rolls a ball in imitation of adults.
- Balances on one foot.
- Walks more rhythmically, after which the walk changes to running, jumping, throwing and catching with rigid upper body. Pushes riding toy with feet.
- Bends down to pick up the object.
- Walks upstairs and down stairs, alternating footsteps and leading with one foot.
- Jumps and hops, flexing upper body.
- Catches a small ball in one hand.
- Runs lightly on toes.
- Runs, gallops and skips without falling.
- Picks up and carries larger objects.
- Rides wheeled equipment.
- Skates.
References:
Baby centre.
pathways.org.
Kid Sense Child Development.
Child Development: An Illustrated Guide, Carolyn Meggitt.