Motor Planning Activities
Every time a new motor task is demonstrated and requested of a child, many systems must work together to plan and execute that activity. Motor planning is the ability to understand, organize the necessary sequences, and carry out an unfamiliar task.
If a child is unable to interpret and organize the instructions, the child will approach the activity with hesitation and the task may appear uncoordinated or might not be fully completed. Often, the child is expending significant amounts of mental energy to complete the task. Anxiety might also be noticed as the child becomes frustrated with the little outcome they produce despite their high energy expenditure and their desires to improve their performance.
How To Help
How To Help
- A child must first understand what is being requested. Verbal instructions should be kept simple and short and may need to be enhanced with a visual demonstration or physical cue.
- Give the child ample time to process the information.
- Teach it in small phases and a lot of repetition
ACTIVITY IDEAS:
ACTIVITY IDEAS:
- Play backyard games such as Frisbee, bean bag toss/Corn hole, and throw and catch with a variety of balls.
- Create, with the child’s help, a back yard or indoor obstacle course that begins with 1-2 activities, and slowly add one more activity at a time. Include jumping on one or both legs, hopping, throwing, kicking a ball, crawling, animal walks, yoga moves, logroll, gymnastics etc.
- Teach your child easy dance moves such as the twist, side step, or marching. Add 2-step actions such as stepping while clapping to the music, step and snap, jump and clap, step and kick, march then kick, etc.
- Modify common games. Use a beach ball and hockey stick for “golf”, karate, play baseball with a broom and a balloon, use a plastic garbage lid for Frisbee, or play soccer with a balloon. Kick beach balls in an attempt to have them land in boxes or laundry baskets.
- Run, scooter, roller skate, or bicycle around cones.
Links to check out:
Links to check out: