Fine and Gross Motor Skills in Child Development: Definition & Examples

Before children start babbling, they first learn to move. Every movement they make plays a vital role in their development. These movements are broadly categorized into two types: fine motor skills and gross motor skills.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the difference between fine and gross motor skills.

Fine Motor Skills 

Fine motor skills are movements that are small, subtle, and precise. They don’t just involve the hands and feet but also rely heavily on vision. This combination opens up a wide range of abilities, such as hand-eye coordination and visual-motor skills, which help in coordinating the hands, legs, and other parts of the body.

Examples of Fine Motor Skills

Here are some examples of fine motor skills that we often see our toddlers do on a daily basis: 

• Holding a pen or pencil 

• Swinging arms while playing 

• Watching an object moving carefully 

• Releasing an object 

• Putting blocks in a container 

• Pointing out fingers individually 

• Using a spoon or a bowl 

Why Fine Motor Skills Are Important? 

We think life would have been really different if humans never developed fine motor skills. Can you imagine not being able to hold an apple to eat?

We may never realize it, but everyday tasks are made possible because of these tiny, precise movements. These fine motor skills help not just children but also adults in developing hobbies and following passions like learning an instrument, holding a flight controller, or even holding a mic while giving a speech! 

Fine Motor Skills Milestones 

0 to 6 Months	Putting hands in mouth  Swinging arms and legs  Grasping something with either or both the hands
6 to 12 Months	Pinching & shaking things  Transferring object from one hand to another  Starting to pick small objects
1 to 3 Years	Stacking building blocks  Turning book pages  Using scissors to make small cuts
3 to 5 Years	Cutting continuously with scissors  Dressing & undressing without help  Drawing circles  Building tower of 9 blocks
5 to 7 Years	Cutting out shapes with scissors  Holding a pencil using 3 fingers  Colouring within the lines  Tying shoelaces by themselves

Gross Motor Skills 

Large & sweeping movements that we make with our body are Gross Motor Skills. Gross means “large” in this particular case. Walking, waving hands are some of the examples of large movements. These movements require proper coordination of: 

• Skeletal muscles 

• Bones 

• Nervous system 

These movements are divided into 4 child growth and developmental areas: 

• Physical  

• Cognitive  

• Language  

• Social-emotional 

Examples of Gross Motor Skills 

Here are some examples of gross motor skills that we often see our toddlers do on a daily basis:   

• Standing 

• Walking 

• Running 

• Sitting upright without back support 

• Chewing 

• Jumping 

• Twisting their torso 

• Bending over 

• Moving/twisting their neck 

Why Gross Motor Skills Are Important? 

Movements are a natural part of everyday life. As gross motor skills develop, bodies change and in turn, these skills open new ways to explore our environment. This creates more opportunities for both learning and doing. Gross motor skills are especially important for mobility, independence, and overall health. Difficulties in this area can affect many aspects of life, making everyday tasks challenging and impacting confidence and self-esteem. 

Gross Motor Skills Milestones 

0 to 1 Year	Sitting with support  Rolling over  Crawling on belly
1 to 3 Years	Sitting, crawling, walking  Jumping with both feet together  Catching a ball
4 to 5 Years	Kicking a ball  Walking backwards  Skipping forward  Walking straight on a line  Running around obstacles
6 Years	Walking on a balance beam  Jumping rope

Difference Between Fine and Gross Motor Skills 

Here are some of the major differences between fine and gross motor skills: 

Point of Difference	Fine Motor Skills	Gross Motor Skills
Definition	Coordination of small muscles to move	Coordination of larger muscle group for movements
Muscle groups	Small muscles like hands, fingers, etc. for precision movements	Larger muscles like arms, legs, etc. for essential activities
Developmental Stage	Starts later in early childhood	Develops earlier than fine motor skills
Sensory integration	Intricate hand-eye coordination	Integration of various sensory inputs for larger movements

Places like Johannesburg Zoo Lake, Delta Park, Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Durban’s beaches, or the family-friendly cycle routes at Modderfontein Reserve give children the perfect opportunity to refine their gross and fine motor skills. From climbing and running to scootering, balancing, and even building sandcastles, these activities help strengthen coordination and control while keeping the experience playful and engaging.

Movements For Holisitc Growth

It is vital for caregivers to understand the difference between fine and gross motor skills. Recognizing and fostering the development of both is important, as they help identify whether a child’s growth is on track. These skills are deeply interconnected with a toddler’s physical, cognitive, and social development, and nurturing them early lays the foundation for confidence, independence, and lifelong learning. At Dibber International Preschool, our educators ensure that children engage in a variety of activities that help these skills develop in the best possible way.