Motor development of the child according to age stages
From one year up to two years of age
Many signs of motor development appear in the child before he reaches 12 months, and develop until the age of 24 months, and they are as follows:
- 12 months: Stands well alone.
- From 12 months to 15 months: Walk well.
- From 16 months to 18 months: Walk backwards and climb up with assistance.
- About 24 months: Jumping in place, building a tower with four cubes, mastering the use of a spoon, and drawing a circle.
From two to three years
Children at this age can make things with their hands, such as: building towers from pieces of cubes, shaping clay into different shapes, scribbling using a regular pen or crayon, in addition to inserting objects into the appropriate spaces. Such as placing circular pegs in circular holes. At this age, the child begins to use one hand more than the other, and is considered the beginning of becoming right- or left-handed.
From three to four years
Children begin to deal with clothing zippers, and the child also begins to put on and take off his clothes on his own. He can also start using scissors to cut papers, and the child continues to develop his skill in eating and using special tools for that purpose. Such as a fork and spoon, in addition to the child’s ability to open doors or covers.
Read also:Symptoms of excess in children
From four to five years
Children continue to develop fine motor skills based on the skills they have learned previously. For example, at this stage they can unbutton clothes themselves, in addition to improving their artistic skills. They can draw simple shapes, copy circles, squares, and large letters.
From five to seven years
The child begins to demonstrate the skills necessary to start and succeed in school, as he can print letters and numbers and make shapes such as triangles. The child can also use colors and pencils and control them better, in addition to the ability to take care of himself independently, such as brushing his teeth, combing his hair, and eating independently. Without adult supervision and assistance.
Ways to develop a child's motor skills
A child's motor skills can be developed by choosing games and activities that suit the child's skill level. Here are some ideas to encourage these skills:
- Giving the child the opportunity to participate in physical activities, try new things, and do them in a safe and supervised environment.
- Allow children to eat independently, in order to build hand-eye coordination.
- Developing fine motor skills through drawing and other creative arts projects, knowing that this step is not limited to drawing and using tools only, but rather to thinking about what the child will draw.
- Giving the child enough time to participate in physical games, which will enhance the child’s learning and development.
