Gross (Large) Motor Skills - Health and Physical Development: Ages 3-5

Widely Held Expectations

• Child develops coordination, balance, spatial awareness and strength through gross (large) motor activities
• Child develops gross (large) motor skills
  
  • Coordinates both hands to manipulate large objects
  • Continues to develop body fl exibility and coordination
  • Uses indoor and outdoor gross (large) motor equipment safely and appropriately

Learning in Action: Examples

The Child

• Engages in gross (large) motor activities (marching, hopping, running, dancing, pulling wagons, pushing boxes, rolling, etc.)
• Engages in complex movements (climbing, going up and down steps, riding a tricycle, skipping, throwing, catching, bouncing a ball, etc.)
• Begins to identify body parts and words used in movement (eyes, arms, head, knees, etc.)

The Adult

• Acknowledges and supports children’s natural tendencies to move and be active throughout the day
• Provides adequate time for children to practice, explore, and expand their motor skills and interests
• Supports variations in gross (large) motor development
• Plans for outdoor activities on a daily basis

The Environment Includes

• Equipment and materials to encourage hopping, running, jumping, dancing, climbing and other gross (large) motor skills
• A variety of outdoor equipment (climbing apparatus, swings, tunnels, slides, tricycles, wagons, etc.)
• Open space for movement and exploration, both indoors and outdoors, that meets safety standards