Developing Gross and Fine Motor Skills in Early Childhood

This is a series about fine and gross motor skills in early childhood. Children of all ability levels should have both structured and unstructured experiences in motor skills. Early interventions and involvements of parent and school can develop positive experiences, which can help students develop at a normal rate. This month’s article is part one of the series and explains what motor skills are.

What are motor skills? They are the large and small movements of the body such as lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying. In order to develop fine and gross motor skills, an individual must effectively use the mind-body connection and have spatial awareness of their surroundings.

Frequent teaching, reteaching and imitating are important when a student has difficulty mastering motor skills. Movement of the large and small muscles to the rhythm of a song also helps to improve motor skills. Practicing directions such as up, down, clockwise, and counterclockwise helps develop motor planning. Repetitive techniques such as these are important in developing both gross and fine motor skills.

References:

Ask the Experts

What’s the difference between fine and gross motor skills?
http://www.babycenter.com

Is my child normal?
http://www.wholefamily.com

Shirley’s Preschool Fine Motor Skills
http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com/fine-motor-skills.html

Shirley’s Preschool Gross Motor Skills
http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com/gross-motor-skills.html

Smith, Jodene Lynn. Activities for Fine Motor Development. Winchester, CA: Teacher Created Resources, 2005.

What are gross motor skills?
http://www.getreadyforschool.com/preschool/preschool_activity.html

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Christina Chapan

Christina Lee Steele Chapan is a certified personal trainer with four certifications from ISSA ACE, AFAA and SCW. She specializes with fitness for children and those adults and children with special needs. In addition to attaining her certifications, she is also a certified elementary and special education school teacher with a B.S. in Elementary Education, a minor in Biblical Studies from North Central University, an endorsement in Special Education, and an M.A. in Curriculum and Development from Governors State University. Her passion is for training the future of tomorrow. She is available for training, speaking and writing.

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