As parents, we want to see our kids grow, thrive, and enjoy every stage of their development. One of the most important parts of childhood is learning how to move and interact with the world—skills that come from developing motor abilities. From holding a crayon to climbing on the playground, motor skills are at the heart of your child’s physical, mental, and emotional growth.
At Indian Crest Pediatrics in Arvada, CO, we love helping parents understand how to support their child’s development. One of the best ways to encourage motor skill growth? Play! Consider why motor skills are necessary and share fun, practical ideas to help your child build these skills through everyday activities and playtime.
What Are Motor Skills and Why Are They Important?
Motor skills are the abilities that let us move our bodies, whether for significant actions like running and jumping or smaller, more precise movements like buttoning a shirt. These skills are broken into two categories:
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills involve large muscle groups, and the benefits of outdoor activities such as walking, climbing, jumping, and throwing all fall under this category. These skills contribute to overall strength, coordination, and balance.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills involve small muscle groups, particularly in the hands and fingers. These skills allow children to write, draw, tie their shoes, and perform other precise tasks. Developing fine motor skills is essential for school readiness, hand-eye coordination, and independence.
Both motor skills are vital for your child’s growth, supporting everything from their confidence to their ability to explore the world around them.
Why Play Matters for Motor Skill Development
Play is how kids learn. It’s not just about having fun (though that’s a big part of it)—play gives children the chance to practice movements, explore their creativity, and develop new skills. In fact, research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that play is crucial for brain development, social skills, and motor coordination.
Why Play Works for Skill Building
- It’s Low-Pressure: Play is fun and natural, so kids feel free to experiment and try new movements.
- It’s Engaging: Active play keeps kids moving without feeling like a chore.
- It Builds Confidence: When kids master a new skill through play, they feel proud of themselves and are motivated to keep learning
Fun Activities to Build Gross Motor Skills
Here are some simple and fun ways to encourage gross motor development at home or outside in the Arvada area:
1. DIY Obstacle Course
Turn your living room, backyard, or local park into an obstacle course! Use chairs to crawl under, cones to weave through, and cushions to jump on. Obstacle courses build strength, coordination, and balance.
2. Dancing Time
Turn on your child’s favourite music and have a dance party. Please encourage them to hop, spin, march, or shake their body to the beat. Dancing helps kids build considerable muscle strength while improving rhythm and spatial awareness.
3. Park Adventures
Take advantage of the beautiful parks in and around Arvada, like Majestic View Park or the Ralston Central Park playground. Running, climbing, swinging, and sliding are excellent for gross motor skill development.
4. Ball Play
Throwing, catching, and kicking balls of different sizes helps improve hand-eye coordination, balance, and agility. Try a game of catch, soccer, or even rolling a ball back and forth to practice these skills.
Creative Ways to Improve Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills require more precise movements, so allowing kids to practice small, focused activities is essential.
1. Arts and Crafts
Grab some crayons, markers, or paint and let your child’s creativity flow! Activities like colouring, cutting paper shapes, or threading beads onto string all build finger strength and hand-eye coordination.
2. Play-Doh Fun
Squishing, rolling, and shaping Play-Doh or clay is a fun, tactile way for kids to strengthen their hands and fingers.
3. Building Blocks and Puzzles
Stacking blocks or fitting together puzzles helps kids improve their precision and problem-solving skills while developing hand control.
4. Practical Life Skills
Daily tasks can double as fine motor practice. Teach your child to zip their jacket, button a shirt, or scoop cereal into a bowl. These small moments build independence while strengthening coordination.
Sensory Play: A Bonus for Motor Skills
Sensory play—engaging the senses of touch, sight, sound, and movement—can be especially beneficial for motor skill development. Here are a few ideas:
- Sand Play: Building sandcastles or digging with small shovels helps improve hand strength and coordination.
- Water Play: Pouring water from one container to another, squirting water toys, or fishing for small water objects can build fine and gross motor skills.
- Textured Exploration: Let your child explore materials like rice, beans, or foam to build tactile awareness while improving finger dexterity.
Tailoring Play to Your Child’s Age
Motor skill development looks different at each stage, so it’s important to provide activities that match your child’s abilities:
Babies (0-12 Months)
- Encourage tummy time to build neck and core strength.
- Place toys just out of reach to inspire reaching and crawling.
Toddlers (1-3 Years)
- Try activities like climbing, walking, and pushing toys for gross motor growth.
- Introduce crayons and finger paints to start working on fine motor skills.
Preschoolers (3-5 Years)
- Practice balancing with simple games like hopscotch or “Simon Says.”
- Provide puzzles and building blocks to challenge fine motor abilities.
School-Age Kids (6+ Years)
- Enroll them in sports, dance, or martial arts to advance gross motor coordination.
- Encourage hobbies like journaling, drawing, or building LEGO sets for fine motor practice.
Helpful Tips for Parents
- Make It Fun: Keep activities light and playful so your child stays engaged and motivated.
- Encourage Daily Practice: Look for small ways to build motor skills, like stirring batter while baking or scribbling on paper during quiet time.
- Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and praise their progress, no matter how small. A little encouragement goes a long way.
- Adapt as They Grow: Offer activities that match their age and skill level to keep things challenging yet achievable.
- Join the Fun: Playing together helps with skill-building and strengthens your bond with your child.
Supporting Your Child’s Growth in Arvada, CO
At Indian Crest Pediatrics, we understand how important it is for your child to grow and develop at their own pace. Play is one of the best tools for building motor skills and fostering healthy development. If you have questions about your child’s motor skill milestones or want personalized advice, we’re here to help!
Play, explore, and watch your little one thrive—you’ve got this, and we’re cheering you on every step of the way!