Occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop gross motor skills—the large muscle movements used for walking, jumping, and balancing—by using play-based interventions to improve foundational physical abilities like strength, coordination, and body awareness. Effective gross motor skills are important for developing fine motor skills. Difficulties with gross motor skills might include: poor coordination, poor balance, difficulty with hand-eye coordination, and movements that lack fluency.
Key Focus Areas in Therapy
Occupational therapists target the underlying components of movement to help children achieve developmental milestones:
- Core Strength & Stability: Activities like “animal walks” (e.g., bear crawls, crab walks) and core exercises strengthen the midsection, which is essential for maintaining posture and balance.
- Coordination & Balance: Therapists use balance beams, stepping stones, and one-foot standing exercises to improve stability and smooth movement execution.
- Motor Planning: Refers to the ability to organize movement, including forming the idea and knowing what to do, sequencing the movements, and carrying out the planned movements smoothly. Sessions often include obstacle courses that require children to plan and navigate complex physical sequences (climbing, crawling, jumping).
- Bilateral Coordination: Refers to the ability to coordinate both sides of the body together. Games like jumping jacks, catching large balls, and imitating movement activities encourage the use of both sides of the body together.
