How to develop children’s gross motor skills?

Did you realise that your child's motor skills start to grow almost immediately after birth? The muscles in their bodies begin to grow and develop long before they utter their first words or take their first steps, and they continue to do so steadily until they are five or six years old.

So, how to make sure that your child has all the resources and tools they need to hone these skills?

This article will look at what gross motor skills are, how play can help them grow, and some easy and enjoyable wooden toys that your child can enjoy.

Our capacity to manoeuvre the large muscles in our bodies is known as gross motor skills. We need many well-developed gross motor skills to work and enjoy life to the fullest, from tasks like walking and running to ones like sitting upright and moving objects from one hand to another. Gross motor skills and tasks get divided into three categories:

• Locomotor skills
• Non-locomotor skills
• Movement manipulation skills

So, the safest way to help your child improve their gross motor skills is to give them plenty of opportunities to practise and play! Choose children toys that will teach your child where they are in their growth and encourage them to advance to the next level.

Open-ended desi toys that allow for unstructured play are perfect because they allow your child to move their bodies consciously, manipulate things, and remain engaged with the world around them.

Toys that help children improve gross motor skills can range from basic rattles and softballs to more complex items such as activity walkers and children's bowling pins. Let us look at some safe and environmentally friendly Indian toys that are sure to be a hit with any kid!

• Handcrafted Organic Rattle

Organic rattles come in various styles, colours, and textures so that you can find the right little buddy for your boy. Rattles are a must-have in any newborn's toy box because they help babies develop gross motor skills by moving their heads to see it, extending their arms to grasp it, or attempting to crawl and reach for it.

• Wooden Rocking Horse

As you observe your child spend hours rocking back and forth with this classic toy, you feel nostalgic! This toy is safe and sturdy, with a wide bench, backrest, and footrest, as well as rubber sliders to avoid excessive rocking and a U-ring to keep your child from falling. Through soft motions and a rocking motion, such toys developing sensory skills and gross motor skills.

• Musical Activity Walker

With this ergonomically built, multi-activity baby walker, your baby's first steps will be even more unforgettable! A wooden xylophone, a clock with numbers, channels to shift and glide shapes, multi-coloured gears, and a bead maze is included in this walker. It has cushioned rubber wheels that provide a smooth, jerk-free walking experience that will help your child develop gross motor skills.