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Seyon Occupational & Speech Therapy Centre logoSeyonOccupational & Speech Therapy Centre
Occupational Therapy

Gross Motor Skill Training

Core strength, balance and coordination for confident movement.

Suitable for ages 1 – 14 years

Overview

Gross motor training builds the postural control, strength and coordination behind running, climbing, catching and cycling. Children who fall behind physically often withdraw from play, so early intervention protects both movement and social confidence.

We use obstacle courses, balance boards, therapy balls, climbing frames and ball skills, always graded to guarantee frequent success.

Signs your child may need this therapy

  • Late to sit, crawl, walk, run or climb stairs
  • Tires quickly and prefers to sit during play
  • Poor balance; frequent trips and falls
  • Cannot catch, throw or kick like same-age peers
  • Slumps at the table or leans on furniture
  • Avoids playgrounds, cycling and sports

Benefits of Gross Motor Skill Training

  • Stronger trunk and shoulder stability
  • Better balance and postural endurance
  • Improved ball skills and playground participation
  • Reduced falls and injuries
  • Better attention through improved postural control
  • Confidence to join group sport

Treatment process

  1. STEP 1

    Detailed OT evaluation

    A 60–75 minute session covering developmental history, sensory profile, muscle tone, coordination, hand skills and daily-living independence, using tools such as the Sensory Profile-2 and DASII/Peabody-based motor measures.

  2. STEP 2

    Shared goal setting

    We translate findings into 3–5 functional goals that matter at home and school — holding a pencil, sitting through a meal, tolerating a haircut, buttoning a shirt.

  3. STEP 3

    Individual therapy plan

    Your child receives a written plan specifying session frequency, activity progression, equipment used and the home programme that supports it.

  4. STEP 4

    Weekly play-based sessions

    45-minute one-to-one sessions in our sensory gym and fine-motor studio. Activities are graded so your child is always working just beyond their comfort zone, never past it.

  5. STEP 5

    Parent training

    The last 10 minutes of every session are for you: what we did, why, and the two or three things to practise before the next visit.

  6. STEP 6

    Progress review

    Formal re-assessment every 12 weeks with a written report, updated goals and a discharge pathway once targets are met.

FAQ

Gross Motor Skill Training — your questions answered

Not sure where to start? Begin with an assessment.

One hour with our team gives you a clear picture of your child's development and a written plan you can act on — whether or not you continue therapy with us.