Activity Ideas for Toddler Physical Motor Development

Your toddler's physical motor development involves maturing of the muscles in the entire body. There are two types of muscle development, fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills control precision of small muscle movements in the hands, such as drawing and grasping objects. Gross motor movements involve maneuvering large muscle group functions for walking and running. You can enhance your toddler's readiness skills for when she enters the classroom by applying motor development activities during play.

Fine Motor Activities

• Fine motor skills allow your toddler to develop the abilities to learn precise movements used in writing and manipulating small objects. To help your toddler begin developing fine motor movements, you can use several activities during play. Try painting and alternate large to fine brush sizes, cutting with scissors, snapping Legos together, stacking blocks and creating shapes with playdough. During play these activities help develop muscle precision for writing skills. These activities build fine motor coordination, multiple levels of pressure needed for writing, and strength for developing fine muscle control. Most importantly the pincher grip---grasping objects and writing tools with the forefinger and thumb---begins to develop through these exercises.

Gross Motor Activities

• Gross motor skills depend on muscle tone, coordination and strength for positioning large group muscle movements. Large motor movement activities help develop balance and coordination for running, jumping and climbing. An activity such as hopscotch is all about developing balance, while climbing a jungle gym, running games, throwing, catching and rolling balls build coordination and strength for positioning large muscle movements. You will soon notice your toddler will become better at accomplishing these activities each time he tries them because large muscle motions are developing and coordinating.

Motor Skills Delays

• It may be a red flag if your toddler's performance in daily activities that require motor coordination is substantially below her age expectancy. Fine or gross motors skills that appear weak may indicate a motor delay. Motor skills develop within a range of expected age sequences called milestones, such as walking, crawling or sitting. If your toddler's motor activities are delayed, she may demonstrate awkward motor movements such as dropping things or clumsiness, or may have poor climbing, throwing, catching or handwriting skills. Motor delays can disrupt academic achievement or just daily activities. Although there are various levels of difficulty that present with motor coordination, some children may only demonstrate minor motor skills delays. Some delays are associated with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and other difficulties, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. (See Reference 1) If you suspect your toddler is displaying motor skills developmental delays, you may consider consultation with your medical professional.