Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are skills which involve the large muscle groups, such as the arms and the legs. Examples of gross motor skills include walking, running, skipping, throwing and swimming. Gross motor skills can be learnt at an early age and are relatively easy for cognitive leaners to execute as they are not precise movements. These skills are a critical element of primary health and physical education programs as they develop into the basic movements for life. |
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are skills which involve the small muscle groups, such as the hands and fingers. These skills use fine and intricate movements, for example, catching a tennis ball, putting in golf, playing darts and snooker. Fine motor skills require more control and hand-eye coordination than gross motor skills. |
Gross and fine motor skills are not categorised neatly into one category. Instead they exist on a continuum ranging from small movements to large movements.