Early Childhood Studies

What is Motor Skill Development? Motor means movement. Skill is something you learn or acquire. Definition is: The learning of movement through the stages of development as a child. Motor development refers to the acquisition and refinement of basic movement patterns and motor skills. Motor skill is the refinement of the basic motor pattern (e.g. how well the individual walks)

Group Activity Group A – List all major motor skills of a child from 3 months to 18 months. Group A – List all major motor skills of a child from 3 months to 18 months. Group B – List the skills from 18 months to 2 years old. Group B – List the skills from 18 months to 2 years old. Group C – List the skills from 2 years to 4 years old. Group C – List the skills from 2 years to 4 years old. Group D – List the skills from 4 to 6 years old. Group D – List the skills from 4 to 6 years old.

3 Stages of Motor Development The first stage is marked by extremely rapid growth and development, as is the second stage. The first stage is marked by extremely rapid growth and development, as is the second stage. By the age of 2 years old, this development has begun to level out somewhat. By the age of 2 years old, this development has begun to level out somewhat. The final stage does not have any marked new developments, but mastering and development of the skills achieved in the first two stages. The final stage does not have any marked new developments, but mastering and development of the skills achieved in the first two stages.

What is Cephalocaudal Sequence? Motor control of the head comes before control of the legs. This head-to-tail sequence is called the cephalocaudal trend. New born infant – has no voluntary control over his/her body. Can move all parts of body but cannot control consciously. F First motor control development is eye movement. 2 to 4 weeks can follow object with eyes. Then the mouth muscles to produce social smile. 2 months can control its trunk. E.g. rolling over 5 to 6 months can roll completely. 8 months baby can sit.

What is Proximodistal Sequence? Motor development proceeds from the centre of the body outward; i.e. the head, trunk and arm control is mastered before the coordination of the hands and fingers. This is the proximodistal trend. Motor development proceeds from the centre of the body outward; i.e. the head, trunk and arm control is mastered before the coordination of the hands and fingers. This is the proximodistal trend. The major parts of the body need to gain control before a child could control other areas such as toes and fingers. The major parts of the body need to gain control before a child could control other areas such as toes and fingers. For example, a child develops control in a sequence from the shoulder to arm then finally to fingers-this development is in a proximodistal sequence. For example, a child develops control in a sequence from the shoulder to arm then finally to fingers-this development is in a proximodistal sequence.

Reaching and grasping development Homework activity Now work out how would a child develop the above development. Now work out how would a child develop the above development. You could work out this development from the age of 3 months to a year old child. You could work out this development from the age of 3 months to a year old child. Break it down into stages of age so that you can explain clearly. Break it down into stages of age so that you can explain clearly.

Answer for homework. At 3 months voluntary reaching gradually improves in accuracy. It does not require visual guidance of arms and hands, but rather a sense of movement and location. At 3 months voluntary reaching gradually improves in accuracy. It does not require visual guidance of arms and hands, but rather a sense of movement and location. By 5 months reaching is reduced as the object can be moved within reach. By 5 months reaching is reduced as the object can be moved within reach. At 9 months an infant can redirect reaching to obtain a moving object that changes direction. At 9 months an infant can redirect reaching to obtain a moving object that changes direction. 12 months the infant can use a pincer grasp, thus increasing their ability to manipulate objects. 12 months the infant can use a pincer grasp, thus increasing their ability to manipulate objects. Note: Motor skills start out as gross, and then graduate to mastering fine motor skills.