Final answer:
Non-locomotor skills are body movements that involve manipulation of muscles and balancing in place without traveling, such as bending or twisting. These skills are crucial for activities that require body control and coordination like sports or playing instruments, and development may be influenced by genetics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-locomotor skills are movements that do not involve traveling from one place to another. Instead, these skills involve the use of the body's muscles to move in place or manipulate an object without the body itself moving through space. Examples include balancing, bending, twisting, stretching, and turning.
While gross motor skills involve large muscle groups and often include locomotor movements like running and jumping, non-locomotor skills are just as important. They contribute to physical stability and control. Additionally, these movements are integral when performing various activities, such as playing musical instruments or engaging in sports that require significant body control and coordination, like gymnastics or basketball.
Newborns display some motor skills instinctively through reflexes, which are automatic responses to stimulation; however, most non-locomotor skills require deliberate practice and development over time. The proficiency in these skills can also be affected by a person's nature, including their genes and biology, which can influence their physical abilities and aptitude for acquiring certain motor skills.