What are gross motor skills?

• A. All of the options are correct.
• B. Movements that involve using the large muscles of the body.
• C. Movements that involve the coordination of small muscles of the body with eyesight.
• D. Movements that involve using the small muscles of the body.

Answer: (B)

Gross motor skills are movements that involve the large muscles of the body and the whole person in action. Think of actions like running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing—these require big muscle groups such as the legs, hips, and trunk and often work across the body in a coordinated way. In physical education, these skills form the foundation for many sports and everyday activities.

The option that describes using large muscles fits this idea directly, which is why it’s the best choice. The other statements point to fine motor skills, which rely on smaller muscles in the hands and fingers and often involve precise coordination with vision, like writing or buttoning a shirt. Since gross motor and fine motor are distinct areas, those descriptions don’t define gross motor skills.