Two-year-olds have certain developmental milestones that need to be met, but sometimes they need a little help. Nancy Kahn Scott has been the owner/operator of the My Gym Children’s Fitness Center in Palm Desert, California since 1996. Here, she discusses how you can help your little one improve his gross motor skills.
Most two-year-olds are very physical and very active. And we know that there are skills such as being able to negotiate a flight of stairs while holding on to the banister with one hand which most children of that age learn to master quite easily. It’s usually a game of trial and error, but they all get there in the end.
What we are looking for at My Gym is offering more stairs to two-year-olds, if parents are concerned about their development. First they will put two feet on each step as they climb while holding on with one hand. The progression from there is one foot on each stair while holding on with one hand.
The lesson is simple: By offering them more stairs and helping them, this will increase their gross motor skills. And we are doing in a fun and pleasant way, which means that they will enjoy coming back and be eager to learn even more.
Two-Year-Old Milestones
Jumping with two feet is a two-year-old milestone. So activities such as a trampoline are great for that type of development – including for children who are developing and progressing without any concerns - concentrating on the skills they need to meet the targets for their age group.
Kicking a ball with one foot and throwing a ball with one hand are other milestones. Both are huge developmental ones in the two-year-old arena, and are easy things to work on at home or in a more structured gymnastics session.
So at My Gym we offer activities for two-year-olds which are suited for them, and will help them better achieve their milestones. We have activities involving tons of stairs. We have running and jumping activities in every single class. And we do a lot of kicking and throwing balls, there are always balls available in the gym at all times.
Improving Gross Motor Skills
We are constantly working on improvement of gross motor skills in that age group, and by learning which activities promote that growth you can then encourage them better. Two years is the lowest age we work with on fine and gross manipulatives in a structured format, and by running, jumping, dancing, singing and playing they learn to become more spatially aware of their own bodies and focus better.
As they get a little bit older, say two and a half, they can begin to learn beginning sports skills and take on more independent activities than their younger counterparts. Social skills are also emphasized, as often these are not parent-led classes.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
