A child's motor skills naturally develop from large to small, or gross to fine. It's vital for children to master large motor skills; otherwise, they won't be able to master the fine motor skills, such a finger control, that are key to success at school. Large motor skills are not just about controlling movement, either. A preschool child who has mastered large motor skills can control his body, but he also can control the amount of effort in his movements, such as throwing a ball softly. In addition, a child who has mastered large motor skills understands spacial concepts, such as direction -- throwing a ball in a curve or backward -- and relationships, such as throwing a ball to someone else.
Most preschools test children at various times during the year to see if they've mastered certain large motor skills. Four- and 5-year-olds should be able to stand on one foot for at least 10 seconds, climb, hop in place, do a somersault, swing and skip, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Teachers should plan activities that practice these skills at a minimum. Other large motor skills to practice can include walking backward, marching, sliding, throwing and kicking a ball. Each large motor activity should focus on at least two of the four movement concepts: body, effort, space and relationships.
Group the children in a circle and have them kick a ball to each other. This will practice effort, direction and body control. Tell them to whom to kick the ball, or let them choose someone who has shoes that tie, for example, or a person wearing a red shirt. This will also help the children practice color identification. A game of "Follow the Leader" also helps students use large motor skills. Have the children walk in a straight line, for example, then balance on one foot, hop over a curb and twirl in a circle. Jump ropes, hula hoops and other playground toys also make for a simple but fun large motor skill activity.
All children develop differently. Still, large motor skills are the first to develop in children, and if a child is struggling with these, it can be a sign that he has some physical or developmental issues that need to be addressed. It's important to catch problems as soon as possible so that the child can get help before he needs to sharpen his fine motor skills, which are usually harder for children to master. Some of contributing problems might include flat feet, poor muscle tone, balance issues and sensory problems. Preschool teachers who are concerned about a child's large motor skills should meet with her parents as soon as possible to discuss their concerns and perhaps recommend an evaluation by a pediatrician.