Early Childhood Early Childhood Studies Studies

What is Motor Skill What is Motor Skill Development?Development?

►Motor means movement.Motor means movement.►Skill is something you learn or acquire.Skill is something you learn or acquire.

Definition is:Definition is:►The learning of movement through the stages The learning of movement through the stages

of development as a child.of development as a child.►Motor development refers to the acquisition Motor development refers to the acquisition

and refinement of basic movement patterns and refinement of basic movement patterns and motor skills.and motor skills.

►Motor skill is the refinement of the basic motor Motor skill is the refinement of the basic motor pattern (e.g. how well the individual walks)pattern (e.g. how well the individual walks)

Group ActivityGroup Activity

►Group A – List all major motor skills of Group A – List all major motor skills of a child from 3 months to 18 months.a child from 3 months to 18 months.

►Group B – List the skills from 18 Group B – List the skills from 18 months to 2 years old.months to 2 years old.

►Group C – List the skills from 2 years Group C – List the skills from 2 years to 4 years old.to 4 years old.

►Group D – List the skills from 4 to 6 Group D – List the skills from 4 to 6 years old.years old.

3 Stages of Motor 3 Stages of Motor DevelopmentDevelopment

► The first stage is marked by The first stage is marked by extremely rapid growth and extremely rapid growth and development, as is the development, as is the second stage.second stage.

► By the age of 2 years old, By the age of 2 years old, this development has begun this development has begun to level out somewhat. to level out somewhat.

► The final stage does not The final stage does not have any marked new have any marked new developments, but developments, but mastering and development mastering and development of the skills achieved in the of the skills achieved in the first two stages. first two stages.

What is Cephalocaudal What is Cephalocaudal Sequence?Sequence?

►Motor control of the head comes before Motor control of the head comes before control of the legs. This head-to-tail control of the legs. This head-to-tail sequence is called the cephalocaudal trend.sequence is called the cephalocaudal trend. New born infant – has no voluntary control over New born infant – has no voluntary control over

his/her body.his/her body. Can move all parts of body but cannot control Can move all parts of body but cannot control

consciously.consciously. First motor control development is eye First motor control development is eye

movement.movement.►2 to 4 weeks can follow object with eyes. Then the 2 to 4 weeks can follow object with eyes. Then the

mouth muscles to produce social smile.mouth muscles to produce social smile.►2 months can control it’s trunk. E.g. rolling over2 months can control it’s trunk. E.g. rolling over►5 to 6 months can roll completely.5 to 6 months can roll completely.►8 months baby can sit.8 months baby can sit.

What is Proximodistal What is Proximodistal Sequence?Sequence?

► Motor development proceeds from the centre Motor development proceeds from the centre of the body outward; i.e. the head, trunk and of the body outward; i.e. the head, trunk and arm control is mastered before the arm control is mastered before the coordination of the hands and fingers. This is coordination of the hands and fingers. This is the proximodistal trend. the proximodistal trend.

► The major parts of the body need to gain The major parts of the body need to gain control before a child could control other control before a child could control other areas such as toes and fingers.areas such as toes and fingers.

► For example, a child develops control in a For example, a child develops control in a sequence from the shoulder to arm then sequence from the shoulder to arm then finally to fingers-this development is in a finally to fingers-this development is in a proximodistal sequence.proximodistal sequence.

Reaching and grasping Reaching and grasping development Homework activitydevelopment Homework activity►Now work out how would a child Now work out how would a child

develop the above development.develop the above development.►You could work out this development You could work out this development

from the age of 3 months to a year old from the age of 3 months to a year old child.child.

►Break it down into stages of age so Break it down into stages of age so that you can explain clearly.that you can explain clearly.

Answer for homework.Answer for homework.

► At 3 months voluntary reaching gradually improves At 3 months voluntary reaching gradually improves in accuracy. It does not require visual guidance of in accuracy. It does not require visual guidance of arms and hands, but rather a sense of movement arms and hands, but rather a sense of movement and location. and location.

► By 5 months reaching is reduced as the object can By 5 months reaching is reduced as the object can be moved within reach. be moved within reach.

► At 9 months an infant can redirect reaching to At 9 months an infant can redirect reaching to obtain a moving object that changes direction. obtain a moving object that changes direction.

► 12 months the infant can use a pincer grasp, thus 12 months the infant can use a pincer grasp, thus increasing their ability to manipulate objects. increasing their ability to manipulate objects.

Note: MNote: Motor skills start out as gross, and then otor skills start out as gross, and then graduate to mastering fine motor skills. graduate to mastering fine motor skills.