What is a key difference between fine and gross motor skills?

Fine motor skills are characterized by their reliance on precise and intricate movements that involve smaller muscle groups, primarily in the hands and fingers. These skills typically require a higher degree of control and coordination to perform activities like writing, buttoning a shirt, or playing a musical instrument. The emphasis on precision is what distinctly categorizes fine motor skills from gross motor skills. In contrast, gross motor skills involve larger muscle groups and encompass broader movements such as running, jumping, or throwing, which do not necessitate the same level of detailed control.

The other options misrepresent the nature of motor skills. For instance, the notion that fine motor skills use large muscle groups is incorrect, as they specifically utilize small muscles for delicate tasks. Likewise, suggesting that gross motor skills involve small muscle coordination mischaracterizes them, as they are focused on larger muscle groups for more substantial movements. Lastly, the concept that gross motor skills are only performed indoors is not accurate; these skills can be executed in various environments, both indoors and outdoors.