Gross Motor Development - Three- and Four-Year-Olds

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to my email feed or look at my eBook.

Three- and four-year-olds love to run, jump, climb, and dance. They walk on tiptoes, straight lines, and up and down stairs and they may be alternating their feet. By this age, children have acquired experiences of different movements and they have developed a memory of various body movements. By continuously practising they gain more and more control over their body. Motor skills are related to how your child uses his body, and they are often divided into Gross motor and Fine motor skills. Gross motor skills involve movements using big muscles groups in arms, legs, stomach, and the back. These movements do not require fine precision.
When he is trying new movements, he may seem uncoordinated but he is often testing his own limits. Balancing on one foot, jumping over books, stones and puddles. Gradually he is becoming braver and he is developing speed and balance.
Allowing him the freedom to move is essential. Given time to practice, he will develop confidence and skills. Always encourage your child with plenty of positive reinforcement for his efforts. Explore new and different to move (see Think Dive). Provide some quiet activity between their bouts of energetic activity to avoid them getting too tired. It is also important that they can do these things safely to avoid injury. 
Lists of what a child can do at a certain age should also be used carefully. Each child is an individual and may meet developmental milestones a little earlier or later than his friends. Always consult with a paediatrician if you are concerned.

• Can ride a tricycle
• Skip on one leg
• Walk a straight line
• Jump up with both feet
• Jump over objects
• Run several meters without falling
• Climb up low furniture
• Walk on tiptoes
• Walk up and down stairs alternating feet - may use a method of bringing both feet together on each step before proceeding to the next step
• Kick a ball
• Roll and bounce a ball - catching it s still quite difficult.
• Throw a ball using shoulders and elbow

Watch the video for some inspiration for activities.

Photo: "Child Playing" by Tom Clare