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Summer provides many opportunities for children to participate in gross motor activities. This includes taking trips to your neighborhood playground, going to the pool, riding a bike and playing sports. Activities that strengthen large muscles help children navigate surfaces, improve balance and posture, build stamina as well as confidence. Children who have upper body strength in their arms and trunk have better control of their body which leads to improved fine motor skills. Below is a list of gross motor developmental milestones for children ages 3-5.

3-year olds:

Walk forward heel-and-toe for 5 steps

Run 30 feet with most of their weight on the balls of the feet

Climb stairs using a hand rail and place 2 feet on each stair

Jump with one or two feet over a small object

Jump forward 24 inches

Begin to move legs to pump a swing

May be overly fearful of height and the speed of objects thrown to them

Stand on one foot unsteadily for a few seconds

Kick a ball with a backward and forward leg swing

4-year olds:

Demonstrate a mature run- the arms bend at the elbows and move back and forth across the body, the trunk leans forward, high knee and heel lift and running on the balls of their feet to push ahead

Hop on one foot

Stand on one foot for ten seconds or more

Alternate feet going up the stairs- one foot per step

Show greater perceptual judgement and awareness of limitations

Exhibit increased endurance

Walk forward on line heel-and-toe for 6 feet

Jump forward 10 times

Kick a ball with good backward and forward leg swing and arm movement

5-year olds:

Gallop for 10 feet

Hop 5 times

Walk backwards toe-to-heel for 4 steps

Skip and run with speed

Walk on a two-inch balance beam with control

Jump down a few steps

Coordinate movements for swimming and bike riding

Play group turn taking gross motor games

Stand on one foot with eyes closed for 10 or more seconds

Take 2 or more coordinated steps and kick a big ball

Therapeutic horseback riding has been proven to be extremely beneficial for children with special needs. Children have an opportunity to improve their physical capabilities, cognition, social skills and emotional well-being. Participants even experience increased confidence and develop a better self-concept.

Horseback riding requires flexibility, balance and posture. The horses movement causes the rider to use their core muscles which often improves strength throughout the body and their upright position. Muscles that benefit from riding include the back, buttocks, ankles, knees and hips. This is beneficial for those who have low muscle-tone. Those with high muscle-tone work on relaxing their muscles and moving with the gait of the horse.

Horseback riding also provides a unique opportunity for children to communicate with the horse and those involved with instruction. The participant often forms a relationship with the horse. This is especially beneficial for those with emotional or social disabilities. The animal shows love, loyalty and trust in the rider. Children feel in control when riding a horse and it helps to empower them. They also learn how to care for a horse, giving them responsibility.

Riding requires attention, memory and reasoning skills. The child is asked to interpret sensory information that they receive from riding including the motion, smell, feel, sound and sight of the horse. They are also interpreting information from the surrounding environment and the instructor leading to intellectual stimulation.

If you are interested in more information, check out the web-page for The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

There is contact information for Therapeutic Horseback Riding in the area under Resources.

You know the feeling you get when you hear fingernails running down a chalk board? You close your eyes, get the chills and possibly even shake? I get a similar feeling when I see children sitting in a W- position.

What is W-sitting and why is it harmful? W-sitting is one of many positions that children choose when sitting on the ground. Unfortunately, I notice that it is preferred. Correct sitting postures assist children in developing trunk control and rotation which is necessary for reaching across the body, also known as crossing mid line. Children need these skills to develop a variety of motor skills including balance and hand dominance. W- sitting does not assist in developing these skills and even leads to future orthopedic problems including hip dislocation and the aggravation of muscle tightness.

Why do children W-sit? Children find it easier to sit in the W-position than other positions. It allows them to sit in a fixed, stable, position and they don’t need to concentrate on keeping their balance. W-sitting offers trunk and hip stability which allows for easier toy manipulation when children are on the ground. It does not allow for rotation or the opportunity to cross midline.

What can you do to help avoid W-sitting?Help the child avoid making a habit out of W-sitting. Place the child on the ground in a side sitting position where their legs are off to the side. You can also promote long sitting where the legs are placed straight in front of the child or tailor sitting where the legs are crossed. Demonstrate these positions for your child and remind them to fix their sitting if you notice them referring to the W position. If the child is unable to sit in these correct positions they may need help supporting their trunk. Have them sit in a tailor position with their back against the couch or chair.

Credit: Jean McNamara