Motor Skills

What are motor skills?

You see motor skills being used around you every day. These are the large movements you make with your arms, legs, and torso, such as:

• Standing
• Walking
• Waving
• Sitting upright unsupported
• Bending or twisting the torso
• Moving or twisting the neck
• Jumping
• Swimming
• Riding a bike
• Throwing, kicking, or catching a ball

People develop these capabilities over time, and healthcare providers can give you general milestones to anticipate for your child at different age ranges.

What makes motor skills challenging to develop?

Your muscles, bones, and nerves have to develop properly and work together to function the way they should. For your motor skills to work as they should, you need to develop:

• Coordination
• Spatial awareness
• Reaction time
• Balance
• Body awareness

Motor skills fall under the physical development aspect of growing up, and issues can crop up anywhere along the way as a child matures. If problems arise, talk to Aaron as soon as possible so he can address your child’s needs.

How do motor skills differ from fine motor skills?

Fine motor skills are delicate or precise movements of the extremities, which include the ankles, feet, toes, wrists, hands, and fingers. Gross (or “large”) motor skills are sweeping movements and often require core muscle support.

What causes motor skill issues?

Any issues with your child’s brain, bones, muscles, joints, or nervous system can impact their motor skills. Some health conditions that affect motor skills include:

• Dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Premature birth
• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome

If your child’s development seems to be stalled or even going backward, talk to Aaron as soon as possible, as this could indicate an underlying health concern.

What can I expect during my child’s motor skills appointments?

With consistent therapies, your child can improve these important skills. A Grade Therapy carefully tailors your child’s care plan to address their challenges and builds fun, child-friendly activities into each session. These age-appropriate activities improve competence and independence over time, helping your child’s interactions with the world around them increase. This reinforces what they’ve learned, teaches them new skills, and offers new avenues for joy.

To learn more about motor skills development, call A Grade Therapy today to schedule your in-home or virtual appointment.