Is occupational therapy the same as physiotherapy for gross motor skills?

There is overlap, but pediatric OT focuses on how movement supports everyday participation (play, school posture, dressing, and community activities) while also considering sensory and motor planning needs. We can help you decide whether OT is a good fit for your concerns.

My child avoids the playground. Can OT help?

Yes. Avoidance often relates to balance, coordination, motor planning, or sensory responses to movement. OT can build skills and confidence so playground participation feels more achievable.

Do you help with ball skills and sports readiness?

OT can support foundational coordination, timing, and motor planning used in ball skills. For competitive sports training, we may recommend complementary supports alongside OT goals.

What ages do you see for gross motor concerns?

We support children and teens from birth through age 17. Goals and session activities are matched to age, interests, and developmental needs.

Where do gross motor OT sessions take place?

Most sessions are in person at our Thornhill clinic. In-home visits may be available depending on your location in Vaughan and scheduling.

Children practising coordination and footwork on an agility ladder during gross motor activity

Pediatric OT in Thornhill · Serving Vaughan

Gross Motor Skills Occupational Therapy for Kids in Vaughan

Support for balance, coordination, playground confidence, ball skills, and the large-muscle strength kids need to move and play with peers.

Pediatric OT in Thornhill · Serving Vaughan

Support for balance, coordination, playground confidence, ball skills, and the large-muscle strength kids need to move and play with peers.

Registered occupational therapist
Children and teens ages 0-17
In-clinic and in-home options
Free 15-minute consultation

What Are Gross Motor Skills in Pediatric OT?

Gross motor skills use the large muscles of the body for sitting posture, walking, running, climbing, jumping, and coordinated play. When balance, strength, or motor planning develop unevenly, children may avoid the playground, tire quickly in gym, or struggle to learn new movement patterns. Pediatric OT helps build the body awareness and coordination that make movement feel safer and more successful.

Signs Your Child May Need Gross Motor Support

Children develop at different rates. Consider an OT assessment when movement challenges repeatedly limit play, sports, or classroom posture.

Frequent trips, falls, or clumsy movements
Your child may bump into furniture, lose balance easily, or seem less coordinated than peers during active play.
Playground and gym activities are avoided
Climbing, jumping, swinging, or team games may feel scary or too hard, so your child sits out or seeks only sedentary play.
Ball skills and new movement patterns are hard to learn
Catching, throwing, kicking, or following multi-step motor sequences may take longer than expected.
Core strength and posture affect schoolwork
Slouching at the desk, fidgeting to stay upright, or tiring quickly during seated tasks can relate to postural control.
Motor planning feels effortful
Learning new physical routines (dance steps, sports drills, or dressing sequences) may require unusual amounts of practice or support.

Not sure whether OT is the right next step? Book a free consultation to talk it through.

Children practising balance and body control in a tree-pose activity during pediatric OT

How Gross Motor OT Helps

Therapy uses purposeful movement games that build strength, balance, and confidence for real-life play and school demands.

Stronger balance and coordination
Target core stability, bilateral coordination, and body awareness for safer, more fluid movement.
More confident playground participation
Practise climbing, jumping, ball skills, and peer play so your child can join in with less fear and frustration.
Better motor planning for new skills
Break down multi-step movements and build sequencing skills that transfer to sports, gym, and daily routines.

Ready to talk about gross motor skills?

Book a free consultation to share what you are noticing at home or school. We will help you decide whether pediatric OT is a good next step for your child.

What Gross Motor OT Looks Like

We start with the movement activities your child wants to join, and the ones that currently feel hardest, then build skills through play.

1. Observe how your child moves

The OT looks at balance, strength, coordination, endurance, and how motor challenges show up at home, school, or the playground.

2. Set movement goals that matter

Goals might include joining gym class, climbing more confidently, or improving postural control for seated schoolwork.

3. Practise skills in engaging sessions

Sessions use age-appropriate games and activities, with caregiver coaching so progress continues between visits.

Want the full picture of pediatric OT at our clinic? Visit our occupational therapy page for fees, what to expect, and how care works.

Thornhill clinic serving Vaughan

Gross Motor OT Near Vaughan Families

Our Thornhill clinic at 1137 Centre Street, Suite 204 serves families across Vaughan, including Concord, Maple, Woodbridge, and Kleinburg. Free parking is available, and in-home OT sessions may be an option depending on location and schedule.

A 50-minute pediatric OT session is $195 in the office or $215 in your home. Many extended health plans include occupational therapy, and we provide detailed receipts for reimbursement.

Meet Maya, Our Registered Occupational Therapist

Maya holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. She uses a play- and activity-based, strengths-focused approach tailored to goals like gross motor skills. Learn more about Maya.

Maya

Registered Occupational Therapist

Gross Motor Skills OT FAQs

Still have questions? Book a free consultation to talk through what you are noticing and how OT at our Thornhill clinic could help.

Take the next step with confidence

A free consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions, learn about OT for your child, and see whether Young Sprouts is the right fit.

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Helpful Occupational Therapy Resources

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