Developing Motor Skills In Kids
Key Takeaways:
Gross Motor Skills:
Involve large muscles like the legs, arms, and torso
These skills are the foundation of movements like running, jumping, lifting, and pushing
Fine Motor Skills:
Involve smaller muscles like hands, feet, wrists, and ankles
These skills are the foundation of movements like holding small objects, tying shoes, and turning a doorknob
Beyond the obvious importance and necessity of developing motor skills, additional benefits often include:
Improved academic performance
Increased confidence
Advancement of athletic skills
Activities that promote motor skill development:
Dancing
Yoga
Sports
Legos and Playdough
Arts & Crafts
Gross and fine motor skills are the foundation of movements we humans use in our daily lives. It’s easy to understand how important these skills are, but what’s less obvious are some of the additional benefits that often accompany strong motor skill development.
While poor motor skill development can have adverse effects such as lack of coordination, poor physical health, and even academic challenges, strong motor skill development does more than just help with everyday life. Below we’ll get into three amazing benefits that accompany strong motor skill development.
Benefits of Developing Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Improved Academic Performance
A 2016 study conducted by The Society for Research in Child Development found that within a sample of 13 kids, the ones with strong motor skills performed better on both math and reading exams.
Kids with advanced gross and fine motor skills are able to sit with good posture throughout the school day while avoiding obstacles like difficulty gripping a writing utensil or eraser. While these two things are not directly correlated with increased academic performance, they do provide kids with an advantage.
Sitting with good posture, being comfortable throughout the school day, and avoiding some physical obstacles increases focus and concentration. And that explains the connection between advanced motor skills and academic performance.
Increased Confidence/Independence
With the development of motor skills also comes more freedom. When kids are able to do things like open a water bottle or feed themselves at a restaurant or tie their own shoes, they feel independent and accomplished.
Kids will be so proud of themselves when they realize, I learned how to tie my own shoes and I don’t need mom and dad to help me anymore! Motor skills allow kids to do everyday things that they may not have been able to do on their own before. In doing so, kids are reaffirming and proving to themselves that they are capable.
The transition from complete dependence on mom and dad just to do simple tasks, to interdependence, to independence is an amazing opportunity for kids to build confidence.
Advancement of Athletic Skills
In the development of motor skills, kids are also developing overall coordination. The more practice they get with moving their bodies, the easier it’ll be for them to play at lunch time, or play on their soccer team, or try a completely new sport or activity.
Building a strong, well-rounded foundation of motor skills sets kids up for success in whatever sport or activity they want to pursue. Their starting point will be much further along and their progression will be quicker and easier than if they hadn’t developed such a strong foundation of motor skills.
Developing and Practicing Fine and Gross Motor Skills
So, how can we actually promote and advance development of these skills? Our answer…
Just do stuff!
And by that, we mean to participate in a wide variety of different activities. Doing so from a young age will promote and advance motor skills while keeping things fun! Here are some activities for various age groups:
Babies to Toddlers:
Tummy Time
Swimming
Sensory Bins
Sign Language
Self-feeding
3-5 Year Olds
Playing Outside (tag, obstacle course, throwing/kicking balls)
Tumbling
Running in Various Directions
Painting, Glueing, Taping
Writing, Coloring, Drawing
5 Years Old & Up
Organized Sports
Throwing/Catching/ Kicking to another person
Plating food
Filling a glass with water
Tieing shoes
Final Thoughts
Our coaches love watching kids unlock their physical and mental capabilities through sports and other physical activities! We always encourage families to get involved with multiple sports and activities not only to develop strong gross and fine motor skills, but also to keep things new and fun while preventing burnout within a single sport/activity.
For more activities to entertain your kids, meal tips, recipes, and physical development insight, follow us on Instagram @nhsportsco.
Catch You Next Time,
NH Sports
