Explore Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills involve the large movements of the body using the arms, legs, and trunk. These skills are the foundation for physical activity, play, and independence. They include:

Walking, running, jumping, hopping, and skipping

Climbing stairs and playground equipment

Throwing, catching, and kicking a ball

Riding a bicycle or scooter

Balance and coordination during movement

Core stability — the trunk strength and control needed to sit upright, maintain posture, and support fine motor tasks

Body awareness (proprioception) — knowing where the body is in space

Gross motor skills provide the stable foundation that fine motor skills are built upon. A child who has difficulty with core stability or balance will often also struggle with fine motor tasks like handwriting.

Motor coordination problems affect approximately 5–6% of school-aged children. Signs may include:

Fine motor concerns:

Difficulty holding a pencil correctly or pressing too hard/too lightly

Messy, slow, or labored handwriting

Trouble with buttons, zippers, snaps, or shoelaces

Difficulty using scissors or utensils

Avoiding drawing, coloring, crafts, or other hand-based activities

Dropping things frequently or having a weak grip

Difficulty manipulating small objects (turning pages, picking up coins, stringing beads)

Gross motor concerns:

Appearing clumsy or uncoordinated — tripping, bumping into things

Difficulty learning new motor tasks (riding a bike, swimming, skipping)

Poor balance — falling frequently or avoiding balance activities

Difficulty with ball skills — catching, throwing, kicking

Trouble on playground equipment (climbing, swinging, monkey bars)

Slouching or leaning on the desk; difficulty sitting upright

Seeming to tire easily during physical activities

Avoiding sports or active play with peers

These difficulties often do not improve on their own over time and can affect academic performance, social participation, and self-esteem.

Occupational therapy (OT) helps kids get better at everyday movements through fun, targeted activities.

Fine motor skills — the small movements of your hands and fingers — improve through activities like playing with clay, picking up small objects, and drawing.

Gross motor skills — the big movements of your whole body — get stronger through balance exercises, obstacle courses, and ball games.

It works because practicing these activities over and over builds stronger connections between the brain and body. Over time, things that once felt hard — like writing neatly or catching a ball — start to feel a whole lot easier!

Research shows that motor coordination difficulties generally do not resolve on their own. Without intervention, these challenges tend to remain stable through adolescence and adulthood. Over time, children with untreated motor difficulties are at higher risk for:

Academic underperformance

Reduced physical activity and fitness

Social isolation and peer difficulties

Lower self-esteem and higher rates of anxiety and depression

Avoidance of sports and physical activities

Early identification and intervention are important. With appropriate OT, children can make significant and lasting improvements in motor skills and daily function.