Which developmental area focuses on physical skills like running and jumping?

The area of development that focuses on physical skills such as running and jumping is gross motor development. This aspect of development involves the improvement of larger muscle groups and coordination required to perform big movements associated with whole-body actions. Gross motor skills include activities that utilize the larger muscles in the arms, legs, and torso, allowing children to gain control over their movements, which is crucial for activities like walking, running, jumping, throwing, and climbing.

In contrast, fine motor development pertains to smaller movements that involve the use of smaller muscle groups, primarily in the hands and fingers, for tasks such as writing, grasping objects, and buttoning clothes. Cognitive development focuses on the development of mental processes like thinking, learning, and problem-solving. Social-emotional development involves skills related to understanding and managing emotions, as well as forming relationships with others. Thus, when discussing physical skills like running and jumping, gross motor development is the most relevant area to consider.