Gross motor skills are defined as movements utilizing which type of muscle groups?

Gross motor skills involve movements that primarily utilize large muscle groups. These skills are fundamental for various basic functions such as walking, running, jumping, and climbing. They develop early in life and are crucial for overall physical development and coordination. As children grow and their gross motor skills refine, they gain more control and can perform more complex actions with larger movements.

The focus on large muscle groups distinguishes gross motor skills from fine motor skills, which require the coordination of smaller muscle groups, such as those in the fingers and hands, for tasks like writing or buttoning a shirt. The other options refer to movements that are not aligned with the established definitions of gross motor skills, as they deal with smaller muscle coordination or unusual movements not typically categorized in the context of gross motor development.