The physical environment has a large effect on their motor skill development. The more opportunities they have to develop both gross and fine motor skills, the faster their capacity increases.
Gross motor skills are responsible for movement and include activities that involve moving major areas of the body. For instance, running, jumping, climbing, throwing, standing, and sitting are examples of gross motor skills. Children use their large muscle groups and move most or all of their bodies when utilizing their gross motor skills.
Fine motor skills require more precision and coordination. When we think about hand and eye coordination, fine motor skills are required. Each time a child picks up a pencil, plays with small toys, touches their nose, or eats, they are using their fine motor skills. These skills seem simple to adults, but require concentration for children to develop them.
There are several different factors that affect motor development, which include growth of the child, environment, genetics, muscle tone, and gender. We'll explore each of these factors individually.