Activities for Strengthening Motor Sensory Skills

Sensory motor skills are the integrated functions of sensation and movement that result in coordinated responses to stimuli. Developing these skills is vital for children. While children begin developing sensory motor skills on their own from a very early age, parents and teachers can help support their sensory motor skills development with a variety of targeted activities.

  1. Tactile Play

    • Water can provide hours of fun and valuable tactile stimulation for your child. Additionally, it can be integrated into necessary activities like bathing. Fill the bath with water and add a foamy bubble bath product so that the surface of the water is covered in foam, preventing the child from seeing what̵7;s underneath. Throw into the water some sponges, wash cloths, and toys before placing the child in the bathtub. Have him search around for the items in the tub, and guess what the objects are by feeling them underneath the water. When he has taken a guess, he can pull the object out of the water to see if he guessed correctly.

      You can also fill a large bin with dry beans or rice and bury toys for the child to find. As in the tub activity, have the child guess what item he has in his hands before pulling it out to see. Provide an empty coffee can, a plastic funnel and some large spoons so the child can play after he̵7;s found all the hidden items.

    Balancing Act

    • Sensory motor skills are needed for balance, so helping children perform activities that require them to practice balancing strengthens motor sensory skills. One such activity is sitting and bouncing on a ball. Children can also lay across the ball on their tummies or their backs and balance their bodies so that they remain parallel to the ground. Riding a bike requires a great deal of balance, so encourage children to use their bikes. Give younger children toys such as bouncy shoes. Bouncy shoes, also known as moon shoes, fit over regular shoes and can provide hours of bouncing fun.

    Global Movement

    • Get children moving their entire bodies in response to stimuli. Having them climb on monkey bars is a good activity because children must feel the bars to climb up. If your child has a scooter board, have her sit cross legged on it or lay on her belly and use her hands to propel herself forward. Alternately, have her push off from a wall and propel herself backward with her hands.

      Playing with a ball can also help develop sensory motor skills. Children can throw a ball against a wall and practice catching it. Heavy work activities, including carrying heavy objects, pushing heavy objects such as a vacuum and pulling a friend or family pet in a wagon, also help develop sensory motor skills.

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