Motor Skills in Early Childhood Development

Motor skills in early childhood development are described as a function that involves the specific movement of muscles and muscle groups with the intent to perform a certain action. Motor-skill development begins at a young age as babies begin using their hands and arms to reach for a toy and develops into more advanced skill levels as children are able to run and hop.

  1. Fine Motor Skill Development

    • Fine motor skills in early childhood development are defined by a child̵7;s ability to use their small (fine) muscles to pick up small objects or manipulate objects, such as a spoon. Fine motor skills are often done with, but not limited to, the hands and fingers. A baby will use fine motor skills to hold a block or rake up a cereal bit with her fingers while an older child will use his fine motor skills to hold a pencil or turn a page of a book.

    Gross Motor Skill Development

    • A gross motor skill in early childhood development refers to a child̵7;s ability to use their large (gross) muscles. A baby will use their gross motor skills to roll over or pull up into a seated position while an older child will use gross motor skills to jump or hop.

    Developing Motor Skills Through Play

    • You can help a child develop their motor skills in early childhood through different types of play. To develop fine motor skills in a baby, help them hold and manipulate different sized blocks or balls. Teach the baby how to hold the different objects and pass them from one hand to another and eventually stack the blocks or roll the balls.
      Develop fine motor skills in an older child by giving them time to be creative with materials such as paint and a paint brush or Play-Doh. Holding a paint brush (use different sizes) and painting a picture requires fine motor skill coordination.
      To develop gross motor skills in a baby, encourage the baby to hit developmental milestones such as rolling over, sitting up by herself and eventually pulling herself up. Encourage this type of muscle movement daily.
      An older child can develop his gross motor skills by running, jumping, kicking and skipping. Jungle gyms are excellent gross motor skill tests as a child will have to use his large muscle groups to climb, jump and swing around it.

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