What are Gross Motor Developmental Delays?

[two_third]Gross motor development delays describe a lag in the development of muscle groups that control larger, whole-body movements. This development manages the ability to make big movements that involve the arms, legs, and torso (middle of the body).[/two_third]
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Why are Gross Motor Skills Important?

Children need gross motor skills to hold their heads up, roll over, sit, and crawl during infancy. As children grow, they eventually need gross motor skills to walk, run, and skip. This development also enables gross motor activities such as climbing, jumping jacks, hopscotch, using tricycles and trampolines, and dancing. Children rely on gross motor skills for success at school, on the playground, and in the larger community.

Gross motor skills are also related to other abilities. These include the following:

What are the Gross Motor Developmental Milestones?

Gross motor developmental milestones are abilities to look for as your child reaches a certain age. Below are the standard gross motor milestones and the standard age for performing them:

Age Birth to 1 Year:

Seek assistance if your infant is unable to roll on the floor, prefers to turn head only to one side or has a flattened area on the head, or only uses toes to stand

Age 1 Year:
Age 2 Years

It is important to seek assistance if you realize your child is not walking or sitting independently or always displays unusual behavior (e.g. up on toes while walking).

Age 3 Years:
Age 4 Years

What Causes Gross Motor Developmental Delays?

Some children simply reach gross motor milestones later than others, and there is no known cause or long-term issue. If a gross motor delay is related to a medical issue, however, it typically involves the following:

What is the Treatment for Gross Motor Developmental Delay?

Treatment for gross motor delays typically involve occupational therapy, physical therapy, and sensory-processing therapy. Your pediatrician may also recommend a pediatric neurologist if the delay involves another medical disorder. If tests determine that your child has developmental coordination disorder (DCD) or dyspraxia, you may need to combine occupational therapy with regular at-home exercises. Contact The Warren Center to learn about a range of services for children with gross motor developmental delays.