While individual development varies from child to child, motor control often develops in a natural progression, according to Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Schneider Children's Hospital in New York. Paying attention to your child’s fine and gross motor control development, and encouraging it with specific games and activities, can often help him move through the sequences more quickly. It can also ensure your child receives early treatment for any gross or fine motor skills delays that might interfere with his overall development.
Significance
Children generally develop fine and gross motor skills, including rolling, sitting, walking, skipping, eating with utensils and writing, in a predictable sequence, within specific age parameters. Pediatricians use these parameters, known as developmental milestones, to determine whether a child’s development matches that of his peers.
Fine Motor Control
Fine motor skills include small, precise movements such as stacking blocks, cutting with scissors, tying shoes and holding a pencil--these skills only develop correctly if your child’s nervous system matures in an appropriate way. Many parents and pediatricians fail to notice fine motor issues until a child begins school and lacks the hand coordination or strength necessary for writing.
Gross Motor Control
Gross motor skills involves the movement of your body’s large muscles--jumping, walking, skipping or pedaling a bike or tricycle fall into this category. Pediatricians and parents often watch large motor development closely, making it easier to identify gross motor deficits than fine motor ones.
Considerations
Keep in mind that the age ranges for mastering motor control milestones encompass a wide span. While some children might walk as early as 8 months, others will not walk until closer to 18 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers reassurance that children anywhere within this span follow a “normal” pattern of development. Talk to your doctor about any gross or fine motor concerns you notice in your child so he can conduct a thorough physical evaluation.
Potential
Encourage your child’s fine and gross motor development by choosing developmentally appropriate toys and games that stimulate these areas. Develop hand-eye coordination by playing ball with your child, teaching her to both throw and catch it. Play jumping games with your toddler or preschooler and jump rope with older kids. Take your child swimming to build her coordination and allow her to experiment with a wide range of motions and movements. Make sure you play it safe by teaching your child to swim and staying with her in the water until she swims well independently.
Enhance fine motor skills by giving your toddler or preschooler large beads to string, paper to tear into strips or modeling clay to cut and shape. Let toddlers or older children help you fold laundry--the detailed steps of folding enhance fine motor coordination.
