How to Refine Motor Skills

Young children are in a developmental stage functionally as well as physically. This is the time they learn motor skills and refine skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Engaging a child's mind and body together is the essence of refining motor skills. Motor skills fall into two broad categories: gross motor skills and fine motor skills. The former are skills involving big muscles found in the arms, legs, torso, etc.; they are used for active engagements. The latter involve smaller digits, such as fingers, toes and even the tongue, and are used for writing, verbal communication and creativity.

• 1

  Develop gross motor skills in your child by encouraging him to be physically active. Playing ball games, jumping rope, riding a bike or tricycle or playing on a jungle gym are all good activities. You can set up balls for your child to kick, play a game of catch or erect a low balance beam to walk on. If your child is still quit young, encourage him to crawl by walking around the house and letting him follow you. If he's still an infant, place him on his back and rotate his arms and legs around to simulate activities.

• 2

  Work on fine motor skills by encouraging your child to do common tasks that require dexterous fingers. Encourage her to button her shirt, tie her shoes or--if old enough--write letters, draw pictures or just trace images. You can set up crafts for her to do that trigger creative thought processes and a myriad of coordinated hand movements. Building with Legos, sewing, finger painting or creating sculptures will all help in improving fine motor skills.

• 3

  Devolop mental and sensory activities to further accentuate motor skills. Active and educational video games can help induce creativity and assist processes involved in motor skills. Puzzles and games requiring problem-solving activities promote healthy brain development. If you can include physical activity in these games, such as Easter egg hunts or hide-and-seek, then your child's motor skills will develop further.