What Are Motor Skills?
Imagine your toddler’s body is like a fancy robot that needs to learn how to do both big and small movements:
- Gross motor skills are the big movements (like running and jumping)
- Fine motor skills are the tiny, careful movements (like picking up small things)
The Big Moves: Gross Motor Skills
What Your Toddler Might Be Doing Now
- Walking without help (12-15 months)
- Carrying big toys while walking
- Climbing on furniture (watch out!)
- Going up stairs (holding your hand)
- Dancing to music
- Kicking a ball (maybe not perfectly, but they’re trying!)
What’s Coming Soon
- Running (15-18 months)
- Jumping with both feet (around 24 months)
- Walking backwards
- Going up and down stairs alone
- Throwing balls overhand
- Standing on one foot (briefly)
Fun Ways to Help
- Make an Obstacle Course
- Use pillows to climb over
- Make tunnels from boxes to crawl through
- Place tape on the floor to walk on like a balance beam
- Play Outside
- Visit different playgrounds
- Roll down small hills
- Chase bubbles
- Play follow-the-leader
- Dance Party!
- Put on different types of music
- Play freeze dance
- Copy each other’s moves
- Use scarves or ribbons to wave around
The Small Stuff: Fine Motor Skills
What Your Toddler Might Be Doing Now
- Stacking 2-3 blocks
- Scribbling with crayons
- Eating with a spoon (messy, but trying!)
- Turning pages in books
- Putting big puzzle pieces together
What’s Coming Soon
- Building towers with 4-6 blocks
- Using spoons and forks better
- Drawing lines and circles
- Turning doorknobs
- Putting on simple clothes
- Unscrewing jar lids
Fun Activities to Try
- Kitchen Fun
- Play with child-safe kitchen tools
- Sort big pasta shapes
- Pour water between cups
- Mix ingredients while cooking
- Art Time
- Color with thick crayons
- Paint with fingers
- Stick stickers on paper
- Squish play-dough
- Draw in sand or shaving cream
- Everyday Helper
- Put silverware in drawer (supervised)
- Help sort socks
- Put toys in bins
- Stack plastic cups
Red Flags to Watch For
Talk to your doctor if your toddler:
- Isn’t walking by 18 months
- Uses one side of the body much more than the other
- Can’t stack at least two blocks by 18 months
- Doesn’t copy any movements or actions
- Loses skills they once had
Remember!
- Every child develops at their own pace
- Celebrate small wins
- Make practice fun, not forced
- Give lots of chances to try new skills
- Join in the fun – be silly together!
Super Tips for Parents
- Safety First
- Childproof your space for explorers
- Stay close during new activities
- Make sure climbing areas have soft landings
- Remove sharp or dangerous objects
- Building Confidence
- Cheer for efforts, not just successes
- Let them try things their way
- Give them time to figure things out
- Stay calm when they get frustrated
- Making Practice Fun
- Turn activities into games
- Sing songs during practice
- Give stickers for trying new things
- Make funny sounds for different movements
Daily Activities That Help Both Skills
- Getting Dressed
- Gross motor: Standing on one foot
- Fine motor: Pulling up pants, pushing arms through sleeves
- Mealtime
- Gross motor: Climbing into chair
- Fine motor: Using utensils, drinking from a cup
- Clean-up Time
- Gross motor: Walking while carrying toys
- Fine motor: Picking up small objects, putting toys in bins
- Bathtime
- Gross motor: Getting in/out safely
- Fine motor: Squeezing water toys, pouring water
Remember: These amazing skills take time to develop. Your toddler is learning something new every day, even if you can’t always see it. Keep playing, stay patient, and enjoy watching your little one grow!
Need more ideas? Talk to your pediatrician or an occupational therapist. They’re like motor skills coaches who can give you even more fun ways to help your toddler grow stronger and more skilled!
