Gross motor skills and social behavior in childhood: a public health perspective on their developmental association

Object control skills appear to be a consistent correlate of social behavior throughout childhood, whereas locomotor skills are particularly relevant in the early years. These results highlight the promise of implementing targeted interventions, such as customized physical education curricula and organized play sessions, that focus on specific motor competences as a public health initiative to promote social skill growth. To optimize efficacy, the architecture of such programs must be developmentally appropriate and responsive to age-related variations.