Motor Skills Development

Study Notes

Balance and coordination is the ability to maintain a controlled body position while engaging in both Fine and Gross Motor Skills.
It is essential for functioning effectively across environments and tasks.

Developing balance and coordination begins at birth as babies learn to lift their head, roll over, and scoot across the floor.
As toddlers, their balance and coordination develops more quickly as they begin to crawl, walk, skip, jump, and run.

Good balance and coordination enables a child to have appropriate postural responses when needed.
It also allows for appropriate posture for table-top tasks and subsequent success at Fine motor tasks and Gross Motor Tasks.

Balance and coordination are connected to a child's learning process.
Children who experience trouble with body awareness, balance, and coordination tend to struggle with focus and attention in school.

Falls easily, trips often, or can't recover quickly from being off balance.
Had developmental delays as a baby or toddler.
Moves stiffly and lacks fluid body movement.
Avoids physical activity.
Is slower than peers to master physical skills.
Is less skillful than peers in refined sports participation.
Pushes harder, moves faster, or invades the personal space of others more than intended.
Is fearful of new physical games or is scared of heights that don't faze their peers.
Has difficulty getting dressed standing up.
Has trouble navigating some environments.

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