Gross psychomotor skills are an essential aspect in the development of babies, as they allow the acquisition of motor skills and coordination. As little ones grow, they improve their body control, which allows them to explore the world and acquire new skills. In this article, we provide you with five key points to work on gross motor skills at home with your baby, so that you can accompany him in his growth and development in an effective and safe way.
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Establishes a safe and stimulating environment
Before starting to work on gross motor skills with your baby, it is essential to ensure that the environment is safe and appropriate. Make sure the floor is clean, free of small objects and has a non-slip surface. In addition, you can place mats or play mats to cushion possible falls.
To stimulate movement, you can place different objects and toys around them. Choose items that encourage crawling, grasping and manipulation, such as balls, blocks and dolls. Also try to offer variety in shapes, colors and textures, which will encourage their curiosity and motivation to explore.
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Encourages crawling
Crawling is a fundamental milestone in the development of gross psychomotor skills, since it favors coordination between limbs and balance. To encourage your baby to crawl, place him in a prone position (face down) during playtime. This will strengthen his muscles and make it easier for him to adopt the crawling position.
You can also place attractive objects at a certain distance, encouraging him to move to reach them. Be sure to provide emotional support and encouragement as he moves through this process, as this will contribute to his self-esteem and self-confidence.
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Stimulates grasping and manipulation of objects
Object grasping and manipulation are essential skills for the development of gross motor skills. To encourage these skills, provide your baby with toys of different sizes, shapes and textures, such as blocks, hoops and balls. Encourage him to explore and manipulate these objects with both hands, which will help improve his coordination and strength.
In addition, you can perform activities such as passing the ball from one hand to another or stacking blocks, thus encouraging interaction and joint learning.
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Promotes the development of balance
Balance is crucial for acquiring skills such as crawling, walking and running. To stimulate your baby’s balance, do activities such as rocking him gently in your arms, changing his position during play and encouraging him to sit up on his own.
Once your baby can sit up unaided, you can incorporate games that involve passing objects back and forth or reaching for toys at a distance. These activities will promote postural control and balance development.
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Encourage your baby to take his or her first steps
The moment when a baby begins to walk is exciting for both baby and parents. To support your little one at this milestone, provide opportunities to practice balance and coordination.
Be sure to provide a safe and uncluttered environment, and celebrate each step your baby makes at this stage. Patience and emotional support are essential for your little one to gain confidence in his or her motor skills.
Conclusion
Working on gross motor skills at home with your baby is a rewarding and essential task for his development. By following these five key points, you will be able to accompany your child in the process of acquiring motor skills and coordination. Always remember to provide a safe and stimulating environment, encourage crawling, stimulate grasping and manipulation of objects, promote balance development and encourage your baby to take his first steps. Patience, love and dedication will be your best allies in this exciting journey.