Spring has sprung in Primary ADM! It has been wonderful to enjoy the warmer weather through longer walks, gardening, and spending time on the play deck! It finally feels as though we have fully settled into our new home, it has been lovely being in a space that allows the children to have more independence. 

Before getting into the importance of gross motor skills for primary aged children, we first would like to touch on the GTMS annual auction! 

This year the teachers of PADM will be offering a few different activities at the auction that we are extremely ecstatic about. The AM team (Ms. Maggie, Ms. J, and Teacher Bailey) are offering either a trip to the Wildflower Garden or Awbury Arboretum. The PM team (Ms. Amanda, Ms. Shawn, and Ms. Allison) are offering a group trip to the Camden Aquarium! We are also excited to announce an activity that includes all of the teachers… a sleepover at school! (kind of). On a Friday all of the teachers and a group of students will stay at school together for a pajama party with a movie, popcorn, and ice cream sundays! We will stay at school together until 8:30pm. This will be a fun and silly experience for all that we look forward to turning this into a tradition! 

“When there is motor and physical activity, you can see a more important kind of education, a kind of education that takes the force of life into account. This education is not driven by its own wisdom, but by another superior wisdom which lays down the law that, if we do not take the vital force into account, we miss the best part of education. ”

Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 77

What are Gross Motor Skills?

Gross motor skills are the control of large muscles in the body that are required for large movements. Gross motor skills are important for completing every day tasks such as walking, carrying objects, dressing, etc. Gross motor skills also encompass a lot of movements used for play like the ability to jump, climb, and run!

Maria Montessori was extremely wise in the creation of her methodology. She deeply considered the wants and needs of a child when first starting Casa Dei Bambini. It is no secret that children have a thirst for movement just as much as they have a thirst for knowledge. Instead of trying to stop their physical activity, there are materials here to aid their development. Many of the Montessori materials are designed with gross motor skills in mind, whether it be through the transport of the material, or the lesson itself. We try to nurture the child’s need to move. Not only is it beneficial for the child to work some energy out, but it is beneficial to their overall education and development. 

In our school gross motor skills are practiced in a number of ways. Through working with the materials, Grace and Courtesy lessons, navigating the classroom, the play deck, and we are lucky enough to have a movement room! 

Gross Motor Skills in the Classroom

“When we give the child the possibility to fix his attention in an orderly fashion upon some objects which also permit a motor exercise, we give such clearness to the mind of the child. This clearness gives a new fascination and a new impulse, a new mode of observation. ”

Maria Montessori, The Montessori Approach to Music, p. 19

Within our classroom children sit, stand, and walk to do their work. The work in the classroom is inherently tied to movement. Many of the works pictured above require multiple steps to set up. The action of retrieving a work mat (or multiple!), unrolling the mat, and carrying the work from the shelf to ones work space are all key opportunities for gross motor development. Materials like the Brown Stair, the Golden Bead material, Knobbed Cylinders, the Number Rods, and the Pink Tower are all works that require walking as a part of their set up. The child retrieves the material piece by piece, each time walking to and from their work mat, avoiding other children’s work, and handling the materials with care. The repetition of these movements commits them to memory, ensuring the child internalizes their work. Tasks like this may seem like second nature to adults, but for the developing child it requires focus and practice. Yoga, jumping work, balance work, Walking the Line, and building the Red Rod maze are other ways children can refine their gross motor skills. These are works that they can do independently or along with a friend. As they gain more control of their movements, children can continue to challenge themselves with these works.

The development of Gross motor skills also transfers to being able to complete practical tasks. Being able to freely move through one’s environment, care for themselves, and maintain their environment is directly tied to ones independence. When moving through the classroom children are able to absorb what others are doing with work, and have many opportunities for social interactions. When moving through an active classroom they are able to practice walking around someone’s work, fitting through tight spaces, and bodily control. We practice these movements at circle through Grace and Courtesy lessons so children are confident to put them to use in their daily life. Practical Life lessons allow children to learn to care for themselves and their environment while also practicing their large motor movements. Learning to carry objects, pour, transfer, scrub, etc. are tasks that use large bodily movements that also develop self confidence. The Practical Life skills and movements help children to become more connected to the world around them!

By allowing children the opportunity to practice gross motor skills they are able to master balance, coordination, and moving with intent. As a child grows more comfortable and confident with gross motor skills, their fine motor skills begin to develop as well. Movement is an integral part of the Montessori method!

“The children love to do these things [practical life activities] for themselves and they learn to be careful and precise in their movements. This is both education of movement, because there is a refinement of muscular co-ordination when the work is carefully done, and education through movement, because these activities involve judgement and will, self-discipline, and an appreciation of orderliness. ”

Maria Montessori, Maria Montessori Speaks to Parents, p. 49

Gross Motor Skills and Play!

“Just as we have to prepare a special environment for sport, like a tennis court if we are to play tennis, the child must be given the means for the kind of exercise which is necessary for his life. It is essential that the small child has the opportunity for movement. ”

Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p.125

One of the best ways to hone gross motor skills for children is through play! We take full advantage of the play deck and movement rooms we have available and try to do excursions to other playgrounds so the children have a variety of ways to experiment with movement! In areas outside of the classroom children are able to test their abilities and see what they are capable of. Movement is an important part of the social dynamics. The children are often interested in engaging in play with those who are drawn to the same movements as them, like throwing balls, climbing, or dance partners. Through friendship children also may feel most confident to try something new, like hanging upside down for the first time! The children love to share with one another the different ways they have learned to run, jump, hang, balance, twist, dance, and climb with one another.

The development and mastery of gross motor skills grants the child confidence and the drive to continue mastering all of their movements. They become more capable and confident in their learning environment and socialization. 

It is such a joy seeing the children’s physical abilities develop through the year. They have all grown so much, they are such an ambitious bunch! Thank you all for everything that you do.

All the best,

Ms. Amanda, Ms. Maggie, Ms. J, Teacher Bailey, Ms. Shawn, and Ms. Allison

Important Dates:

5/6- The GTMS Gallery walk as Sister Cities playground from 9:30am-12:00pm

5/12- Grandparents & Special friends day and GTMS Annual Auction from 6:00pm-12:00pm!!!!

5/26- Happy Hair Day! 11:45 DISSMISSAL ALL GTMS

5/29- ALL GTMS CLOSED Memorial day

6/3- Spring Family Social from 10:00am-1:00pm