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As kids enter the early childhood years, their gross motor development advances. They become surer of themselves and take more risks. The large muscles on their legs, trunk, and upper arms continue to grow, helping them maintain their balance longer than before. As they practice even more, their coordination increases as well as their confidence in their locomotor skills.

One thing to keep in mind though is that children develop at their own pace. Rates of progress in motor development will therefore vary greatly from child to child.

When my daughter went to her well-baby check ups, she was always behind in her motor development, but her fine motor and her language development were off the charts! Now, she is a happy, healthy teenager who plays sports and is active in the gross motor domain everyday. I knew, as a parent, to watch her development when she was younger and to make sure she was making progress in her gross motor development.

She was, but it was at her own pace, and that pace was slow, at least in the physical development domain. When given the opportunity to make a choice, she would choose to color an intricate picture inside before she would choose to go out and kick a ball.

There are indeed many ways to enhance your child’s physical development. One way is to explore the outdoors. Dress for the weather and run around! Once outside, have your child think about how many ways he or she can move from one place to another. Can your child gallop from the tree to the mailbox? Can he or she hop like a frog to the puddle? Can your kids take five giant dinosaur steps to the big rock? Can they gallop like a horse all the way around the house?

At age 3 ½, children also start showing interest in pedaling a tricycle. You can take advantage of this interest and start by adjusting giving your child an age-appropriate tricycle. Adjust your child’s seat so that he or she can reach the pedals comfortably. Give your child a head start by pedaling around a fairly flat, smooth area. Pedaling will build your child’s muscles and strengthen them. Make sure that your child’s route is clear of obstructions, puddles, and other slippery or sharp areas. Consider this your child’s daily exercise. The more he or she does it, the better he or she gets!