Gross motor skills are defined as the movements of the large muscles of the body. Gross motor development is often better than fine motor development in boys. Overall, gross motor development is in keeping with cognitive level.

Infants and toddlers usually acquire the same skills in the same order as their peers. However, there may be delays in the acquisition of early milestones, such as sitting, crawling, and walking.

Many infants achieve these milestones at the same times as their non-affected peers, and most boys walk by the age of 2.

Development

Some problems with low muscle tone and balance may affect the gross motor development of boys.

• Flat feet and hyperextensible joints can cause awkwardness in motor movements.
• Poor motor planning may lead to difficulties in learning certain skills, such as throwing and catching a ball.
• With some of the sensory defensiveness seen in children, motor movements may be inhibited by a reluctance to catch a ball, focus on a target, or other sports related skills.
• Balance problems may cause riding a two-wheel bike to be more difficult, but many boys do achieve this ability.

Many children simply need more opportunity for participation in sports and games. Physical play at home and in the yard provides ways to develop physical strength and skills and to calm overstimulation.

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