Motor development is the process of how young children move their bodies and hands. It involves the growth of muscle strength, coordination, balance, and motor skills. Motor development is important for your child’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional well-being. As a parent, you may wonder what are the typical motor developmental milestones for your child, and how to support and monitor them. In this article, we will provide you with some information and tips on these topics.

What are the motor developmental milestones?

Motor developmental milestones are the physical activities that children typically perform at different ages, such as rolling over, crawling, walking, running, jumping, etc. These milestones reflect the child’s progress in motor development.

However, it is important to remember that every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Some children may reach certain milestones earlier or later than others, and that is normal. There is a wide range of variation in motor development, and it does not necessarily indicate a problem.

To help you track your child’s motor development, you can use an interactive online tool by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which allows you to check your child’s milestones and identify any potential delays or concerns. You can access the tool here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Pages/default.aspx

How to support your child’s motor development?

There are many ways you can support your child’s motor development at home and in the community. Here are some general tips:

• Provide your child with a safe and stimulating environment that encourages them to explore and move. Make sure there are no hazards or sharp objects that could harm them.
• Offer your child a variety of toys and objects that promote different types of movements, such as balls, blocks, puzzles, dolls, cars, etc. You can also use household items, such as spoons, cups, boxes, etc.
• Play with your child and join them in their activities. You can model, praise, and guide them as they learn new skills. You can also challenge them to try new things, such as climbing, balancing, throwing, etc.
• Respect your child’s preferences and interests. Some children may enjoy more active or passive play, and that is okay. Let your child choose what they want to do, and follow their lead.
• Encourage your child to participate in physical activities with other children, such as playing games, sports, dancing, etc. This can help them develop their social and emotional skills, as well as their motor skills.
• Limit your child’s screen time, such as watching TV, playing video games, using tablets, etc. Too much screen time can interfere with your child’s motor development, as well as their attention, sleep, and health. The AAP recommends no screen time for children under 18 months, and no more than one hour per day for children 2 to 5 years old.

How to monitor your child’s motor development?

It is important to monitor your child’s motor development regularly, and to seek professional help if you have any concerns. Some signs that may indicate a delay or a problem in motor development include:

• Your child does not reach the expected milestones for their age, or shows a regression or loss of skills.
• Your child has difficulty with basic movements, such as sitting, standing, walking, etc.
• Your child has trouble with fine motor skills, such as grasping, holding, drawing, etc.
• Your child has poor posture, balance, or coordination.
• Your child avoids or dislikes physical activities, or shows signs of pain, fatigue, or frustration.

If you notice any of these signs, you should talk to your child’s doctor, who can assess your child’s motor development and refer you to other specialists if needed, such as a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, or a developmental pediatrician.

You can also find more resources and support from Help Me Grow MN, a website that has many information and services for parents and professionals about the development of young children in various domains, such as communication and language, social and emotional, and cognitive. You can visit their website here: https://helpmegrowmn.org/

We hope this article has given you some useful information and tips on how to support your child’s motor development milestones. Remember, you are your child’s first and best teacher, and you can make a difference in their development. If you want to learn more about other aspects of your child’s development, you can check out Early Education Zone, a website that provides high-quality and engaging content for parents and educators. You can visit their website here: https://earlyeducationzone.com/