As kids grow, their movements become more agile. Follow your child’s gross motor skill development from age 6 to 7.Gross motor skill development allows children to exercise their balance, coordination, and large muscles. These abilities will help your little one master certain movements, such as running, climbing, crawling, jumping, and throwing. Developing gross motor skills is also an important step toward developing fine motor skills.
Gross motor skills: 6–7 years old
At this age:
- Your child can jump forward about 60 cm with both feet.
- They can jump on one foot 10 times while staying in one spot or moving forward.
Remember that not all children develop the same skills at the same speed. The material on this website is for general information purposes only. If you’re concerned about your child’s development, speak with a doctor. - They can kick a ball while moving and changing directions.
- They can ride a bicycle without training wheels over a short distance.
- They can coordinate their upper and lower body while jumping (e.g., they can do jumping jacks).
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They’re gradually building muscle strength.
- They demonstrate improved balance and endurance during physical activities.
Little by little, your child is beginning to do the following:
- Acquire the skills needed to play team sports such as soccer or hockey.
- Move more quickly and easily without bumping into obstacles or other people.
- Successfully walk along a balance beam (5 cm wide) without falling.
How can you help your child progress?
Your child is unique and will develop at their own pace. They have strengths and weaknesses and are becoming increasingly self-aware. You can help your child develop their gross motor skills with these simple everyday actions:
When your child goes outside and engages in physical activity during their free time, | | they improve their physical endurance while releasing any stress that’s built up during the day. |
When you go for bike rides together, | | your child improves their balance and muscle strength while discovering the world around them. |
When you give your child a physical challenge, such as racing you to the other end of the park, | | they build strength and endurance, and the bond between you grows stronger. |
When you let your child play a team sport with other kids, whether in an organized league or just for fun, | | their physical skills improve, and they learn how to be a team player. |
When you do winter sports together (e.g., sledding, skating, snowshoeing, skiing), | | your child develops an interest in a variety of physical activities in every season. |
When you create an obstacle course at home or put on music and have a dance party with your child, | | they improve their balance and coordination while seeing that it’s possible to be active even when you’re at home. |
When you challenge your little one to move in different ways, such as by skipping, moving sideways, or hopping from one foot to the other, | | they develop their balance and coordination. |
| Scientific review: Sonya Côté and Andreia R. Malisia, occupational therapists
Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team
Updated: September 2021 |
Photo : GettyImages/FatCamera
SourcesPlease note that hyperlinks to other websites are not updated regularly, and some may have changed since publication. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. If a link is no longer valid, use search engines to find the relevant information. - Bouchard, Caroline, and Nathalie Fréchette. Le développement global de l’enfant de 6 à 12 ans en contextes éducatifs. Presses de l’Université du Québec, “Éducation à la petite enfance” collection, 2010, 580 pp.
- Duclos, Germain, et al. Besoins et défis des enfants : vivre en harmonie avec les enfants de 6 à 12 ans.Éditions Enfants Québec, 2009, 319 pp.
- Ferland, Francine. Le développement de l’enfant au quotidien : de 6 à 12 ans. Éditions du CHU Sainte-Justine, “Collection du CHU Sainte-Justine pour les parents,” 2014, 178 pp.
- Portail Enfance et Familles. “Étapes du développement.” www.portailenfance.ca
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