What are the best ways to improve gross and fine motor skills?
Updated: Nov 19, 2021
The first couple of years are very crucial for a child's development. These are the periods where they develop motor skills. Motor skills are the abilities that allow us to do the motions and tasks that we accomplish on a daily basis. In this blog, we'll try to discuss some ways to improve gross motor and fine motor skills in children. Let us start by understanding what exactly a motor skill is, what elements influence it and why is it so important.
What exactly is a motor skill and what elements influence it?
A motor skill is a taught capacity to reliably cause a predetermined movement outcome. Motor learning is when a person's ability to do a skill improves over time as a result of practice or experience. The act of executing a motor skill is referred to as performance. In a classroom setting, assessing motor skill development can be difficult yet crucial. Gross motor skills and fine motor skills are the two key areas in which children develop. When assessing a child's progress, each area must be taken into account.
Gross motor abilities are those that allow you to move around and include activities that need you to move large parts of your body. Gross motor skills include things like running, jumping, climbing, throwing, standing, and sitting. When using their gross motor skills, children employ their major muscle groups and move most or all of their bodies.
Fine motor abilities necessitate a higher level of precision and synchronization. Fine motor skills are used every time a youngster picks up a pencil, plays with little toys, touches their nose, or eats. Adults may find these skills straightforward, but children must focus in order to master them.
The child's growth, environment, genetics, muscle tone, and gender all have an impact on motor development.
Is it better to acquire a fine or gross motor skill first?
The development of a baby begins at the top of the head and continues down the body. As a result, your newborn can manage their mouth, face, lips, and tongue, with the rest coming later. Your kid learns to control his neck first, then his shoulders, and finally his back. Your child can control his or her arms before his or her hands, and his or her hands before his or her fingers.
Gross motor skills develop before fine motor skills in any area of your baby's body. So before they learn how to pass a toy from hand to hand, they'll be able to bring his arms together.
What are some activities that help children develop their gross and fine motor skills?
The arms, legs, head, and trunk are all controlled by gross motor abilities. Child care providers can aid in the development of gross motor skills by providing chances for children to engage in physical abilities.
run
jump
hop
catching and throwing
climb objects up, down, over, under, and through
tricycles with pedals or other ride-on toys
pull and push
dumping and filling
Fine motor abilities are the ability to control small muscles in the hands, feet, fingers, and toes with precision. Fine motor skills include controlling the muscles of the mouth and lips in order to talk or sing. Child care providers can play activities that promote the development of fine motor skills in youngsters. Try some of the activities below to improve your hand and finger coordination:
create playdough or clay into various shapes using plastic tools such as scissors or cookie cutters
stacking and arranging various-sized blocks
to string on yarn or shoelaces, use beads, macaroni, rigatoni, or wheel-shaped cereal
puzzles with handles or knobs of various sizes
child-friendly scissors, paints, brushes, markers, crayons, and a huge chalk
Is it true that gross motor abilities aid fine motor skills?
Gross motor skills can aid in the development of fine motor skills in your youngster. Your child will be able to sit at a desk and practice managing their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers if they know how to sit.
What are the benefits of gross motor activities?
Gross motor abilities are necessary for children to execute daily tasks such as walking and running, as well as playground activities ( such as climbing) and sporting skills. These are, nonetheless, necessary for routine self-care tasks such as dressing, climbing into and out of a car, and even getting into and out of bed.
Other routine functions are influenced by gross motor ability The ability to deal with a full day at school is influenced by gross motor abilities (sitting upright at a desk, moving between classrooms, carrying their heavy school bags). They also have an impact on one's capacity to navigate our surroundings. Many daily chores, like eating, packing away toys, and getting on and off the toilet or potty, will be difficult for a kid who lacks adequate gross motor skills.
What are the benefits of fine motor activities?
Dexterity and strength are necessary for the development of little hands. We may assist this process as parents or caregivers by encouraging children to play, explore, and engage with a range of materials. Tactile examples of behaviors that aid fine motor development include toys, clothing fasteners, safe scissors, and play dough. Fine motor skills can be developed by undertaking age-appropriate tasks in the kitchen. These types of "play" exercises and manipulation abilities will assist a child in holding and using a crayon. Learning to color, draw, and eventually write begins with the ability to do so.
What causes issues with motor skills?
This disorder has no established etiology; nonetheless, it is frequently linked to physiological or developmental problems such as:
prematurity
people with developmental difficulties (cognitive deficits)
ADD/ ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and
learning disabilities in math or reading
Every child is different in their own way. So is their period of development. Having said that, if you're worried about your child's gross motor skills or fine motor skills, do not hesitate to consult a doctor or a therapist who can help you further with an assessment. Daffodil Health provides a number of services including speech therapy, occupational therapy and behavioral therapy.
If you want any guidance regarding your child's condition, we also provide Free Parent Counselling Services. If you are interested in getting a free session, check it out here.
Daffodil Health is creating an ecosystem to help families and parents of kids with special needs. In the same endeavor, we have launched parent training events and a marketplace for learning aids, toys, and much more.
Follow the link to know about all the Upcoming Parent Training Events.
Follow this link to look at all the products that can be helpful for your child.
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