What is Gross Motor Development?
Gross motor development is the ability to use large muscle groups to perform various movements like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, walking, running, jumping, and throwing. Gross motor skills develop gradually and are influenced by environmental factors like exercise, nutrition, and play. From an early age, infants learn to use their gross motor skills to explore their environment, communicate, and learn new things. As children grow older, they rely more heavily on their gross motor skills to interact with others, participate in sports, and engage in physical activities.
Gross Motor Developmental Delays
Gross motor development follows a typical pattern. The following are some of the gross motor development milestones that children achieve:
2-3 months: lifting head and chest while lying on stomach
6-7 months: sitting up without support
9-10 months: crawling and pulling to stand
12-13 months: walking independently
2-3 years: running, jumping, and throwing a ball
4-5 years: skipping and riding a bike
However, not all children develop at the same rate. Common causes of gross motor developmental delays include genetics, premature birth, low birth weight, neurological disorders as well as a lack of opportunities for physical play and exercise.
Signs of gross motor developmental delays may include difficulty crawling, walking, running, jumping, or climbing stairs. Other signs may include a lack of coordination, poor balance, and difficulty participating in physical activities.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy can help children with gross motor development issues by providing a range of interventions that improve their strength, coordination, balance, and mobility. The following are some of the physiotherapy interventions that can be used to improve gross motor development:
Exercise Program
Physiotherapists can design customised exercise programs that focus on improving a child's strength, endurance, and flexibility. These exercises can include activities like crawling, standing, walking, and jumping.
Balance Training
Coordination Training
Gross motor development is an essential aspect of a child's growth and development. Children with gross motor development issues can benefit from physiotherapy interventions that focus on improving their strength, coordination, balance, and mobility. Physiotherapy can help children with various conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and spinal cord injury, improving their gross motor skills, and enhance their quality of life.
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