Gross Motor Skills for Kinder and School Readiness: What Parents Should Know

Written by Paediatric Exercise Physiologist, Ben Hall – Ocean Kids Health

If you’ve got a 3-5 year old at home and you’re starting to think about the move to kindergarten or school, you’re probably hearing a lot about things like early literacy, separation anxiety, or whether your child can sit and listen to a story.
But there’s one piece of the school readiness puzzle that’s often overlooked – and that’s gross motor skills.

What are gross motor skills, and why do they matter for school?

Gross motor skills are the movements that involve big muscles – like running, jumping, climbing, balancing, and even sitting up straight. These are the physical foundations that help kids move confidently through their environment, whether they’re navigating the playground, joining in on group games, or just sitting on the mat during morning activities.

When these skills are a bit behind, kids can struggle with things that seem like they have nothing to do with movement – like following instructions, joining in with peers, or focusing in class.

Some common signs your child might need extra gross motor support:

• They avoid running, climbing or active play
• They get tired easily or slump when sitting
• They find it tricky to follow multi-step instructions
• They get frustrated quickly with new or physical tasks
• They prefer quieter, one-on-one play over group activities
• They’re a little “wobbly” when walking, running or jumping

It doesn’t always mean something is wrong – but it can mean their body isn’t quite keeping up with the demands of kinder or school just yet.

But my child isn’t into sport – should I still be concerned?

Absolutely – and that’s totally okay. This isn’t about turning your child into an athlete or making them do drills. It’s about helping them feel coordinated, strong and capable in their body, so they can move, play and learn alongside their peers.

Even things like toileting, dressing, and carrying a school bag all rely on a solid base of gross motor skills and when those are a bit tricky, kids might feel more anxious or overwhelmed in busy settings like the classroom or playground.

How we can help

At Ocean Kids Health, our Paediatric Exercise Physiologists work with kids to build the physical skills they need to move confidently, keep up with their peers, and feel ready for the challenges of kinder and school – all through play-based, supportive sessions that are tailored to each child.

If something’s been sitting in the back of your mind – maybe your child avoids physical play, gets tired easily, or just doesn’t seem as coordinated as their peers – we’re here to help figure it out with you.

A little bit of early support can go a long way when it comes to kinder and school readiness.

Book a Gross Motor & School Readiness Screening today – we’re here to help your child grow with confidence and ease!

hello@oceankidshealth.com.au
(03) 7009 3652
www.oceankidshealth.com.au