Understanding Developmental Gross Motor Delays in Children

Watching your child grow and reach new milestones is exciting, from rolling over and crawling to running and climbing. But sometimes, children take longer to develop these movement skills, or these skills lag being their friends in quality - which may be a sign of a gross motor developmental delay.

The good news? Early support can make a big difference.

What Are Gross Motor Skills?

Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body that help children move and interact with their environment. These skills include sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, climbing, throwing and catching a ball and balancing. They are often used in combination and quick succession when children play sport or do physical tasks.

These skills are important not only for physical activity, but also for confidence, independence, learning, and social participation.

What Is a Gross Motor Delay?

A gross motor delay happens when a child reaches movement milestones later than expected for their age, or when their skills are not as well developed as that in other children the same age. Every child develops at their own pace, but significant delays or ongoing difficulties may need further assessment and can benefit from intervention.

Research shows that gross motor developmental delay is likely more present than we anticipated, even in healthy children younger than 5 years (SpringerLink).

The good news is that early intervention can improve long-term developmental outcomes for all areas of development, not just gross motor skills. (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2022.877345/full)

Signs Parents May Notice

As a child grows up, parents often see differences between their children and others of the same age. Some of these differences disappear after a while and some seems to become less relevant (a child that struggles to crawl will not appear to be struggling with crawling when they are walking). But the underlying challenges might remain.

Some gross motor delays parents may notice and keep in mind in babies could be a baby that struggles with tummy time (becomes upset or lethargic / stops trying to participate in his or her environment when placed on the tummy during play time). A Baby that feels floppy or unusually stiff, has difficulty rolling, sitting independently, or crawling, or who might be late to pull themselves up or walk might have signs of gross motor developmental delays or difficulty. (BMJ)

These babies might become toddlers who fall often or appear clumsy, avoid playground activities, struggle with stairs, jumping, or balancing. These difficulties may also only show up in toddlers, even if the same child did not appear to struggle as a baby. Other signs to look out for in toddlers would be if they avoid ball games or physical education in school, or when they tire easily during physical activity. Parents might also notice their child having difficulty riding a tricycle or bicycle. Often, these toddlers seem less confident than peers during movement activities.

What Causes Gross Motor Delays?

There are many possible reasons why a child may experience motor delays, and these reasons may include an event or circumstances such as an illness or a premature-, complicated- or prolonged birth, or the child’s general state such as having low muscle tone or being overweight. It may also be linked to neurological conditions or developmental coordination or the ability to ideate or think about a movement before doing it. Opportunities for movement and play, and the child’s motivation or drive to be playful may be limiting factors and can the resulting gross motor delays can often be due to unseen stressors in the child’s environment. Some delays could also be influenced by physical differences, such as differences in muscle strength or balance, or deficiencies in vision or other basic functions.

Sometimes, children simply develop later than others and catch up over time. However, if concerns continue, it’s always best to seek professional advice. (SpringerLink)

How Occupational Therapy Can Help

Occupational Therapists (OTs) help children build the skills they need for everyday life through play-based activities.

An OT may help your child practice specific skills, to improve:

Balance and coordination
Core strength
Body awareness
Motor planning
Confidence in movement
Participation in school and play activities

Therapy sessions are designed to feel encouraging, fun, and achievable for each child – but often looks like “playing” to a person who does not look at the components, goals and outcomes of the playing.

When Should Parents Seek Help?

It’s a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional if:

Your child avoids physical activities regularly
Movement seems unusually difficult or frustrating
Teachers or caregivers express concerns
Your child becomes upset or anxious during movement tasks
Milestones seem significantly delayed

Trust your instincts — parents are often the first to notice when something feels different.

Final Thoughts

Children develop at different rates, and needing extra support is more common than many parents realize. Children often avoid the things they find difficult, which is why they may need help to overcome delays or to improve skills that are deficient. This is why children do not always just “grow out of it”. Early support can help children develop stronger movement skills, improve confidence, and enjoy participating in everyday activities.

If you are concerned about your child’s gross motor development, an Occupational Therapist can help guide and support both you and your child along the journey.

Research & Further Reading

Research Articles

Parent-Friendly Resources

Published:

25th May 2026