It’s Never too Late or too Early to START!
You’ve probably heard me talk about gross motor skills on previous posts. But what are they? And why are they important? What are some gross motor activities to support their development? I learned so much about gross motor skills when I took a class on this topic. Now, my own experience with my daughter I hope I can help others by sharing my experiences as a first time mother. Today, I want to focus gross motor in early childhood 0-6 months old. I will be sharing what gross motor skills are, why they are important, and 4 easy gross motor activities for infants.
Once again, it’s important to remember that while the following section will discuss gross motor development milestones in general terms, every child is unique. Children will develop at their own speed and pace, and there is a wide range of healthy ages at which they can achieve these milestones. Milestones just help organize and summarize this information easily and clearly. Therefore, like I’ve said before, NEVER compare your child to others.
What are gross motor skills?
Gross motor in infancy is the developing ability to move the large muscles such as legs, arms, and trunk. Which includes the attainment of skills such as holding his/her head up, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking, and walking.
Why are gross motor skills important?
Gross motor development is important throughout a child’s early life because it helps them explore the world around them and which it’s helpful to other development areas. Also, it’s important for infants growth and independence.
When to start gross motor to support their development?
For newborns, start with tummy time. We started tummy time right after my daughters umbilical cord fell off and after talking to our pediatrician. There is no exact age to start tummy time, but as long your baby was full-term and healthy, you can start as early as day one home from the hospital. I suggest asking your baby’s pediatrician to when to start tummy time.
Tummy Time is very important because it strengthens baby’s back, neck, and core muscles. Which leads to building a foundation for baby to meet motor milestones. Infants need time and space to explore their environment to use their muscles.
I have a post on tummy time tips for success, if you’re interested.
Gross Motor in Infants 0-3 Months Milestones
- While lying on tummy, pushes up on arms
- While lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up
- Moves legs and arms off of surface when excited
Gross Motor in Infants 4-6 Months Milestones
- Uses hands to support self while sitting
- Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back
- While standing with support, accepts entire weight with legs
- Reaches for nearby toys while on tummy
- While lying on back, reaches both hands to play with feet
I will be sharing with you 4 easy activities that you can do to support your little one’s gross motor development. You can do these activities through out the day. I suggest making them part of your routine. Not only will you be helping your little one’s gross motor but you will also be bonding with your baby.
Gross Motor Activities (0-3 Months)
Activity: Push Up
Will Need: Mirror and a safe place to lay on tummy
Objective: Child will use large muscles for movement. Child will demonstrate curiosity.
Lay your baby on the floor on his/her tummy. Place a mirror in front of your baby. This will give your baby an opportunity to push up to look in the mirror.
You can also place your baby tummy-down on top of your tummy and sing to your baby.
Babies should be able to push themselves up from a tummy position at 2 months. The more opportunity they have to practice this movement, the better they become doing it.
Gross Motor Activities (0-3 Months)
At 2 months, many babies will pull up to stand when in your laps. Pulling up offers important leg exercise which gives legs strength for crawling and walking as babies grow.
Activity: Bicycle
Objective: Child will use large muscles for movement
Lay your baby one his/her back and move your baby’s legs in bicycle motion as you sing or chant. From time to time, hold on to both of your abby’s hands and gently lift your baby to encourage to stand in your lap. Practice this often to strengthen your baby legs.
Gross Motor Activities (0-6 Months)
Activity: Heads Up
Right from birth, your baby needs tummy time. It is during this time that curiosity drives your baby desire to lift his/her head and take a look at his/her surroundings. When your baby is not asleep, baby needs a safe place for tummy time. Before your baby will be able to sit, baby will need to develop the muscles in the neck, shoulders, chest, and back.
Will Need: Blanket, toy
Objective: Child will use large muscles for movement. Child will show persistence.
Place your baby on his/ her tummy on a blanket on the floor. Place interesting objects, such as a stuffed animal, an unbreakable mirror, colorful toys, or a musical toy, in front of him/her to encourage your baby to raise his/her head.
You can also lie on the floor in front of your baby and speak or sing to encourage him/her to raise his/her head to look at you.
You can even also place your baby tummy-down on top of your tummy.
By 3 months most babies have developed enough strength to raise their heads.
Gross Motor Activity (3-6 Months)
Cross-lateral movements help babies develop the ability to connect both sides (hemispheres) of their brain. This connection happens during a baby first year of life
Activity: Toe-to-Ear Stretch
Objective: Child will use large muscles for movement. Child will attend to, understand, and responds to communication.
Simply lay your baby on his/her back and sit at her feet. Gently hold your baby’s right leg down while lifting the left leg up and across her body to tickle her right ear. Return to starting position and then stretch right leg up and across to left ear. Tickle your baby on cues as you listen to your favorite nursery song.
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