A Parents Guide to the Difference Between Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Humans rely on motor skills to carry out everyday tasks, from brushing their teeth to playing sports. Motor skills refer to the ability to control and coordinate our movements, and they can be divided into two categories: fine motor skills and gross motor skills.

As parents, it’s important to understand what these skills look like in real life so we can best support our children’s development.

The difference between fine and gross motor skills.

What are fine motor skills?

Fine motor skills involve using smaller muscle groups, such as those in the hands and fingers, to perform small movements. These skills require a high degree of precision and coordination. Examples of fine motor skills include writing, doing buttons, using scissors, tying shoelaces, using utensils to eat, or zipping a zipper.

What are gross motor skills?

On the other hand, gross motor skills involve using larger muscle groups, such as those in the arms, legs, and torso, to perform more general and less precise movements. These skills involve coordinating multiple body parts and are essential for activities requiring strength, endurance, and balance. Examples of gross motor skills include crawling, walking, running, jumping, throwing, and climbing.

One way to remember the difference between fine and gross motor skills is to consider them “big” versus “small” movements. Fine motor skills involve smaller, more precise movements, while gross motor skills involve larger, more general movements.

Examples of fine and gross motor skills

Remember that these all fine and gross motor skills that your child will eventually learn. Learning these skills won’t happen overnight, and some children may struggle to master any number of these depending on their motor skill abilities. Each child is on their own path of development and if you have concerns about your child’s motor skill development it’s best to speak with your child’s doctor sooner rather than later.

20 fine motor skill examples

1. Grasping and releasing objects
2. Picking up small objects with the fingertips
3. Using utensils to eat
4. Turning pages in a book
5. Buttoning and unbuttoning clothes
6. Using scissors to cut paper
7. Drawing and coloring
8. Writing or tracing letters and numbers
9. Tying shoelaces
10. Using a keyboard or mouse on a computer
11. Playing musical instruments
12. Putting together jigsaw puzzles
13. Using a screwdriver or small tools
14. Sewing or knitting
15. Playing games that require fine motor skills
16. Zipping up a jacket or backpack
17. Applying makeup or grooming hair
18. Opening and closing containers with twist-off or snap-on lids
19. Using tools like grooming tools like tweezers or nailclippers.
20. Playing with playdough or clay

And here are 20 gross motor skills examples

1. Sitting
2. Pulling to stand
3. Walking
4. Running
5. Jumping
6. Hopping
7. Skipping
8. Climbing (we love a pikler triangle for encouraging this)
9. Kicking a ball
10. Catching a ball
11. Throwing a ball
12. Riding a bike, roller-skating, rollerblading, scootering or skateboarding
13. Dancing
14. Swimming
15. Playing on playground equipment, such as swings or slides
16. Balancing on one foot
17. Doing jumping jacks or other exercises that require coordination 
18. Doing yoga or other physical activities that require balance
19. Carrying heavy objects, like backpacks or groceries
20. Doing obstacle courses or other physical challenges.

Are fine motor skills or gross motor skills more important?

Simple answer. They are both important but for different reasons!

Both fine and gross motor skills are important for overall physical and cognitive development.

Fine motor skills are essential for activities requiring dexterity and precision, from dressing to playing a musical instrument or performing surgery. Gross motor skills are essential for physical activities that require strength, endurance, and balance like walking, running, and playing sports.

So while fine and gross motor skills are distinct categories, they work together to enable us to perform various activities in our daily lives. Developing and maintaining strong motor skills is essential for overall health and well-being.

Do boys and girls differ in their motor skill development?

Yes AND no. Let’s talk more about this.

Boys and girls can differ in their motor skill development, although individual differences between sexes are often more significant than differences between sexes.

Generally speaking, boys tend to have an advantage in developing gross motor skills, while girls tend to have an advantage in developing fine motor skills.

For example, research has shown that boys tend to have greater upper body strength, which can help them excel in throwing and catching balls, climbing, and jumping. Typically boys develop gross motor skills faster than fine motor skills. On the other hand, girls tend to have better fine motor skills (which they develop faster), which can help them excel in activities such as drawing, writing, and manipulating small objects.

However, it’s important to note that these differences are not absolute! For example, plenty of girls excel in gross motor skills, such as sports, and plenty of boys excel in fine motor skills, such as art.

It’s also important to note that differences in motor skill development may be influenced by cultural factors, such as the types of activities boys and girls are encouraged to participate. This a prime example of how nurture impacts development.

For example, suppose boys are encouraged to participate in sports and physical activities from a young age. In that case, they may develop better gross motor skills than being innately “better” at gross motor activities than girls.

While there may be some differences in motor skill development, these differences are not absolute and should not be used to limit or stereotype children based on their sex. I

Our goal should be to encourage our children to participate in various activities that promote the development of fine and gross motor skills, regardless of their sex.

At what age do children start developing fine motor skills?

Children start developing fine motor skills from birth, but the development of these skills varies depending on the child’s individual growth and development.

Generally, infants will begin to develop fine motor skills through their exploration of their environment and their own bodies. They will begin to reach for and grasp objects and learn to control their hand movements.

Around 1-2 years of age, children typically develop more refined fine motor skills, such as manipulating small objects, stacking blocks, and using utensils to feed themselves. By age 3, most children have developed good hand-eye coordination and can more accurately manipulate small objects.

It’s important to note that every child develops at their own pace, and some children may develop these skills earlier or later than others. It’s also important to provide opportunities for children to practice and refine their fine motor skills through play, exploration, and age-appropriate activities.

At what age do children start developing gross motor skills?

Children also begin developing gross motor skills from birth, which also varies depending on the child’s individual growth and development.

During the first few months of life, infants develop their gross motor skills by lifting and turning their heads, rolling over, and eventually sitting up independently. As they grow and develop, they will begin crawling, pulling themselves up to stand, and eventually walking.

By age 2, most children can walk and run with some coordination. They can also climb stairs, jump, throw, and catch a ball.

Children between the ages of 3 and 5 continue to refine their gross motor skills and develop more advanced abilities, such as riding a tricycle, hopping on one foot, and skipping.

Again, it’s important to note that every child develops at their own pace, and some children may develop these skills earlier or later than others. Providing opportunities for children to practice and develop their gross motor skills through play and physical activity is important for their overall development and health.

How does motor skills development impact learning?

Fine and gross motor skills are essential for a child’s overall development and can significantly impact their learning abilities.

Here are some ways in which the development of fine and gross motor skills can impact a child’s learning:

1. Improved hand-eye coordination: Both fine and gross motor skills require hand-eye coordination, which is the ability to coordinate the movements of the hands and eyes to perform a task. This skill is crucial for reading, writing, and playing sports.
2. Better academic performance: Fine motor skills are essential for academic tasks such as writing, drawing, and using scissors. Children with well-developed fine motor skills can complete these tasks more easily and accurately, improving their academic performance.
3. Improved social skills: Gross motor skills play a role in developing social skills, such as teamwork and cooperation. For example, children who play team sports learn to work together, communicate effectively, and share resources.
4. Increased confidence: Children with well-developed motor skills are more likely to feel confident in their abilities. This can have a positive impact on their learning and overall well-being.
5. Enhanced problem-solving skills: Both fine and gross motor skills require problem-solving abilities. For example, when children are learning to tie their shoes or use scissors, they must figure out how to coordinate their movements to achieve the desired outcome.

The development of both fine and gross motor skills can have a significant impact on a child’s learning. Parents (and teachers) can help children reach their full potential and succeed in academic and social contexts by providing opportunities to develop these skills.