Written by

Tamatha Hazen

April 23, 2025

Edited by

Kristen Cramer

Fact-checked by

Jennifer Carlson

What are motor skills?

Motor skills are coordinated muscle movements that enable us to interact with our environment. They involve the brain, nervous system, and muscles working together to perform tasks ranging from basic daily activities to complex physical actions.

Motor skills are broadly categorized into fine and gross motor skills, each critical for physical and cognitive development, affecting our health, academic success, and social interactions.

Why are motor skills important?

Motor skills are essential for a child's overall development, connecting physical abilities with learning and social growth. As children build these skills, they become more capable of caring for themselves, participating in classroom activities, and interacting confidently with peers.

Motor skills contribute to a child’s development in these ways:

• Independence: Mastering tasks like dressing and feeding helps children care for themselves, fostering self-confidence.

• Academic success: Fine motor skills are critical for writing, drawing, and using classroom tools, while gross motor skills support physical education and hands-on learning.

• Social growth: Coordinated movement enables children to join team sports, playground games, and group activities, helping them build friendships.

• Health and safety: Strong motor skills improve posture, balance, and coordination, reducing injury risks and laying the foundation for lifelong physical health.

Fine motor skills

Fine motor skills are the ability to use small muscles in the hands, fingers, wrists, feet, and toes to make precise movements. These skills are important for everyday tasks and require coordination between muscles, joints, and the nervous system. They also depend on hand-eye coordination, which connects what you see with how you move.

Fine motor skills examples

Common examples of fine motor skills include tasks that require hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity:

• Writing / drawing: Holding pencils; forming letters

• Self-care: Buttoning shirts; tying shoelaces; using zippers

• Tool use: Cutting with scissors; manipulating tweezers

• Play activities: Stringing beads; building with LEGO bricks

• Feeding: Using utensils; opening containers

Developmental milestones

Fine motor skills develop progressively from infancy through childhood, laying the groundwork for independence in daily activities and academic success. Recognizing important baby and early child milestones empowers parents and caregivers to nurture growth and spot early signs of developmental needs.

Gross motor skills

Gross motor skills are the body's powerhouse abilities, coordinating large muscle groups for running, jumping, and balance. These whole-body movements fuel physical exploration, sports, and everyday mobility while building confidence and social connections.

Gross motor skills examples

Important large-body movements that involve gross motor skills include:

• Motion: Crawling; walking; running

• Balance: Standing on one foot; hopping

• Coordination: Throwing/catching balls; skipping

• Strength: Climbing playground structures; carrying heavy objects

• Agility: Quick directional changes in games like tag

Developmental milestones

Gross motor abilities transform dramatically from wobbly first movements to athletic mastery. Tracking these age-based achievements helps parents and caregivers promote active development and address potential issues proactively.

Developmental delays: Early signs and support

Developmental delays occur when children miss movement milestones. These delays affect both fine and gross motor skills and can stem from genetic, neurological, or environmental factors. Early identification and timely therapy helps children build skills and improve independence.

Fine motor delays

Fine motor delays can manifest in various ways. Infants might avoid grasping objects or show poor hand-eye coordination, appearing clumsy. Preschoolers may express frustration with drawing or writing, complaining of hand fatigue or using excessive pressure when holding pencils.

Factors that may contribute to fine motor challenges include premature birth, genetic conditions like Down syndrome, neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, and vision issues.

Gross motor delays

Gross motor delays are characterized by difficulties with large-muscle movements. Key signs include failure to roll by 6 months, sit independently by 8 months, or walk by 15 to 18 months. Preschoolers might experience frequent falls, struggle with stairs, or be unable to jump by age 4.

Factors that may contribute to gross motor challenges include low muscle tone, neurological conditions, traumatic birth, and global developmental delays.

When to seek help

If a child consistently misses milestones or shows significant motor skill delays beyond typical age ranges, it's important to consult a pediatrician. Red flags to discuss with your healthcare provider include:

• Missed milestones: Failure to roll by 6 months, sit independently by 8 months, or walk by 15 to 18 months

• Regression: Loss of previously acquired skills, such as stopping crawling or walking

• Asymmetry: Strong preference for one side of the body after 12 months

• Persistent clumsiness: Frequent falls beyond age 3, difficulty with stairs, or inability to jump by age 4

How to improve motor skills

Improving motor skills in children is most effective when done through engaging, interactive play that gradually challenges their abilities. By incorporating simple activities into daily routines, you can help them develop strong motor skills. These age-specific ideas can get you started:

Babies (0 – 12 months)

• Encourage rolling by placing toys just out of reach.

• Support pulling to stand near sturdy furniture.

• Offer treasure baskets with safe, textured items for grasping.

• Provide rattle toys for holding and shaking practice.

• Practice pincer grasp using small, safe objects.

Toddlers (1 – 3 years)

• Set up obstacle courses with cushions to climb or tunnels to crawl through.

• Play ball games (rolling, kicking) to improve coordination.

• Encourage animal walks (bear crawls, frog jumps) for strength.

• Engage in playdough play to strengthen fingers.

• Use stickers to develop pincer grasp.

• Practice opening and closing containers during kitchen activities.

Children (3+ years)

• Teach bike riding with training wheels or organize scooter races.

• Participate in team sports (soccer, relay races) for coordination.

• Play hopscotch or jump rope to build balance.

• Engage in bead threading (pasta, large beads) for precision.

• Use tweezers or tongs to sort small objects (pom-poms, cotton balls).

• Practice cutting with safety scissors (paper, playdough).

FAQs about motor skills

What are large motor skills?

The term "large motor skills" refers to gross motor skills, involving movements that use big muscle groups. They are crucial for activities requiring strength and coordination, like running or climbing.

What are small motor skills?

Small motor skills refer to fine motor skills, which involve precise movements of small muscles. These skills are vital for tasks requiring dexterity and precision, such as drawing or using tweezers.

What part of the brain controls motor skills?

Motor skills are controlled by multiple brain regions, including the motor cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and prefrontal and parietal cortices. These areas work together to initiate, coordinate, and plan movements, ensuring smooth and effective motor function.

Questions to ask your healthcare provider

Each child develops at their own pace, but regular check-ups are an ideal time to address concerns. Use these questions to guide your conversation with your pediatrician:

• Is my child meeting age-appropriate gross motor milestones (e.g., crawling, walking, jumping)?

• Are their fine motor skills on track (e.g., grasping, drawing, using utensils)?

• Should I be concerned if my child skips milestones like crawling?

• How can I encourage motor skill development at home through play?

• Are there specific activities to improve balance/coordination?

• Could delayed motor skills indicate an underlying condition?

• When should we consider physical or occupational therapy?

• How do I distinguish between a typical variation and a true developmental delay?

• What are red flags for motor delays in my child’s age group?

• How do sensory issues or screen time impact motor development?

• Are there developmental screenings you recommend?

• How can I track progress between appointments?