Final answer:
Gross motor development refers to the progress of motor skills involving large muscle groups for movements such as running and jumping. These skills improve with age, aiding in physical activities and sports, and are controlled by large motor units in the muscles. This development is influenced by biological factors and begins with reflexes in newborns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gross Motor Development
Gross motor development involves the improvement of motor skills related to the use of large muscle groups in our arms and legs. These skills are crucial for performing everyday large body movements, such as running, jumping, and climbing. Gross motor skills enable kids to gain agility, balance, and coordination, which are essential throughout their growth stages.
Gross motor skills are evident when observing the abilities of children to engage in physical activities. For example, by the end of the toddler stage, most children have the gross motor development to climb stairs using one foot per step and have the fine motor skills necessary for manipulating small objects. Throughout middle childhood, there's a noticeable improvement in their physical abilities, such as riding a bicycle without training wheels and participating in sports.
It is also governed by the arrangement of large motor units, where a single motor neuron can influence a large number of muscle fibers for performing gross movements. The development of these motor skills is a significant aspect of a child's growth and is influenced by their nature, including genes and biology. Not to forget, newborn reflexes play a role in the initial stages of motor development, setting the foundation for more complex motor functions.