Motor Development

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Encouraging Young Children's Motor Development

During your young child’s first year of life, you note every motor landmark: the first time she turns over, when she can sit independently, when she begins to crawl and when she takes her first steps. Once children are walking, we tend to forget the importance of motor development and focus on talking and concept development. Children in the ages of one to five years typically love to move and explore their motor skills just for the pure pleasure of moving. If we do the right things at these early ages, we can help instill that joy of movement in our young children for the rest of their lives.

The list of reasons that it is important to encourage our children’s motor development is long. First, one year old children still have many important developmental skills to acquire. During the second and third year of life alone children learn to run, jump, climb up on playground equipment, ride a scoot toy and pedal a tricycle, just to name a few. During the time they are learning these skills, they are also developing their confidence, competence and problem solving skills. Children in this age group are continuing to gain strength and coordination. Many social opportunities with peers occur in motor driven activities in these early ages as well as in all the years to come. We also know that our culture is becoming much less active and the result is a large number of health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles. Finally, movement is fun! There are so many family activities that involve movement that there is something almost everyone would enjoy.

Here are some hints for encouraging your child to continue to develop good motor skills and enjoy activities that involve movement.

*Pick activities suited to the age of your child. Simple things like visiting playgrounds and parks are more enjoyable if the equipment is the right size for your child. Many metro area parks have a variety of equipment available from shorter slides and enclosed swings to bigger equipment for older children. Children get discouraged or sometimes frightened if the equipment is not developmentally appropriate for their age and size.

*Younger children will move just for the pure pleasure of moving. When going on family outings, look for safe opportunities for early walkers to get out of the stroller and practice their skills on a variety of surfaces. Walking on grass or gravel is a different experience from walking on carpet and flooring.

*Children do not need a lot of expensive equipment to play. Children of all ages can play for hours with a simple ball. Younger children like large softer balls and older children may need something sturdier to kick or bat. Any game you will play with your child and a ball will keep both of you active and entertained for hours.

*Walk, Walk, Walk. Walking takes little imagination and almost no resources. Even in Nebraska, you can walk almost any time of the year. Walking is an activity that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Even walking around your own neighborhood during different times of the year provides great exercise for the body and for the mind. While walking, talk about how the leaves are changing colors, look for flowers coming up, talk about all the different colors you see. Even very young children can begin to anticipate seeing the white cat who is always sitting on your neighbor’s porch. A short walk will give your whole family a little exercise and boost your spirits as well.

*If the day is cold or rainy, put on the radio or put in your favorite CD and dance. Young children love music and it is a great way to build strength and use up excess energy on days you can’t get out. Some children like to have a scarf to hold when they dance. Get up and dance with your child. No one will see you if you shut the curtains and it will make you feel better too!

*There are a number of places around the metro you can go with your child and explore movement. The YMCA has a number of programs for young children (One, Two and You is for young children and their parent to attend together; Wiggles and Squiggles for older children without their parents). A number of community centers have open gym times that parents can attend for a small fee. The YMCA and community centers have swimming pools with family times and swimming lessons. Private programs such as Gymboree and My Gym offer age specific movement experiences.

*When you look into Mothers’ Day Out Programs or childcare for your child, ask what opportunities they have for your child to move everyday. Programs vary widely in the resources they have available. If possible, select a program that has both indoor and outdoor space for movement.

*Let your child see you enjoying movement. What your child sees you doing is very important to your child’s interest in movement. If you spend most of your time sitting in front of the TV or computer, your child will have much less interest in physical activities than if you get up and enjoy doing things with her.

Given the opportunity to move, most children develop all the early motor skills they need without any specific instruction. Spend time with your child being active and both of you will be happier and healthier because of it!