How to Develop a Toddler's Motor Skills
You might be amazed at how many things your toddler can now do -- he might have taken his first step at 12 months, but by 2 years he can jump in place, kick a ball or even ride a tricycle. Your toddler̵7;s motor skills are responsible for his new abilities, and they are measured by a list of developmental milestones, or accomplishments most children reach by a certain age. Motor skills are divided into two groups -- gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body, while fine motor skills refer to the small muscles of the hands. Develop both areas through play and goal-oriented activities that are so entertaining your toddler won̵7;t notice he̵7;s working and growing.
Things You'll Need
- Tricycle
- Balls
- Art supplies
- Sorting toys
- Puzzles
- Dolls
- Blocks
Instructions
Gross Motor Skills
Play outdoor games like tag, hide and seek or jump rope. Many of these activities involve running or jumping, which works on the large muscles of the legs. Observe your child while using rope toys to ensure he doesn't tie them to things, presenting a choking hazard. Help your toddler pedal a tricycle. By age 2 to 2 1/2, toddlers begin to learn the pedaling and pushing motion with their feet, according to Kamloops Children̵7;s Therapy. You might want to hold your toddler̵7;s feet and help him push the pedals until he feels and understands the motion. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to use a tricycle until your child is ready, typically around age 3 and then getting your little one a tricycle that is low to the ground and has big wheels, which makes it less likely to tip over. Purchase a helmet that fits your child correctly and teach him to wear it. Ensure your toddler rides only in safe places, not in the driveway or anywhere else where he may zoom out in front of a car or where a driver backing up may not see him. Also do not allow him to ride near steep banks or any body of water. Play with balls of different sizes, as suggested by First 5 California. Practice catching, throwing and kicking balls to work both arm and leg muscles. Working with different-sized balls also helps develop hand-eye coordination. Do not use small balls that have a diameter of less than 1.25 inches and depth between 1 and 2.25 inches because these present choking hazards, as the AAP points out. Bring your toddler to a playground, which likely has an array of activities to develop your toddler̵7;s motor skills. Practice swinging, going down slides, climbing up ladders or crawling on the ground with your toddler. Playgrounds should have safety mats or 9 inches deep of loose-fill materials like shredded rubber or sand, with at least 6 feet of this material in all directions. Slides should have a guardrail at the top to ensure children sit to go down the slide. Swing seats should be made of plastic, canvas or rubber. Many parks have sections for young children with small slides and enclosed swing seats - this is where toddlers should play. Encourage use of push and pull toys. These toys build muscle while also working on coordination, since your toddler has to worry about holding the toy and walking at the same time. Fine Motor Skills
Give your toddler art supplies like crayons, markers, paint and paper. Not only does art help your toddler explore his creativity and imagination, but also using art tools strengthens your toddler̵7;s hands. You might notice your toddler paint by moving his entire arm, but after practice, he holds crayons between his thumb and fingers and uses more wrist and finger movements. Use jumbo crayons and throw away art materials that have broken into small pieces. Do not let your toddler use art materials that are smaller than 1.25 inches wide and 1 to 2.25 inches deep because these present choking hazards, notes the AAP. Offer toys such as sorting boxes, large wooden puzzles and blocks that encourage your toddler to use muscles in his hands rather than his whole arm. To do a puzzle, for example, your toddler needs to pick up pieces between his thumb and index finger and carefully fit pieces together. Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations to avoid toy pieces that could cause choking, and read age recommendations and warnings on toy packages. Let your toddler use a spoon or fork when eating, as suggested by First 5 California. This develops fine motor skills and gives your toddler some independence he craves. Ensure he is seated securely to prevent falling while eating. Make discovery boxes for your toddler. Fill a box with sand or rice. Place cups, large beads, action figures or other toddler-safe toys in the box. Ask your child to pick out a certain object. He must feel around the sand to locate the object and pick it up. This activity works with your child̵7;s tactile sense as well as fine motor skills. Do crafts with your toddler, such as stringing beads or making paper airplanes. According to Kamloops Children̵7;s Therapy, children ages 2 to 3 can fold and cut paper -- use safety scissors only -- and toddlers by age 2 can string large beads.
