Motor planning is an essential skill that allows us to execute everyday tasks, from brushing our teeth to catching a ball. It involves the brain and muscles working together to plan and carry out a motor action in an organized sequence. This skill is not innate; rather, a child’s ability develops with time and practice. […]
This free Dance Party Motor Planning Activity is the perfect way to get kids to practice motor planning, body awareness, and fine motor skills! In this activity, children can cut apart the dance cards, place them on the dance party board, and follow the dance moves in sequence to improve their motor planning abilities. Every […]
Your students will enjoy this challenging, free Visual Motor and Motor Planning Puzzle. It is a unique way to support these essential skills in a fun and engaging way. You can find the free one-page puzzle at the bottom of this post. This freebie is from the complete Crossing Paths packet. WHAT ARE VISUAL MOTOR […]
As pediatric therapists, we are always on the lookout for lightweight, compact movement ideas. Here are 3 simple paper plate activities: ninja moves, paper plate ice skating and paper plate yoga. These are not your traditional paper plate crafts since they require the kids to participate in physical activity, motor planning and fun! Need to […]
Starting in infancy, children begin to develop skills through imitation. For young children with disabilities, this can be a more difficult skill to master due to cognitive, social, emotional, or motor skill deficits. Educators, therapists, and parents can try various strategies and activities to improve imitation skills in young children with disabilities. What Does the […]
Are you aware of the relationship between the development of fine motor skills and motor planning skills? Researchers took a closer look at the motor planning in 6- to 11-year-old children. Motor planning is the ability to create an idea, plan an action and execute that action. It is a complex process that requires cognitive […]
Are you a school-based therapist, parent, or teacher who help students on motor planning goals at occupational therapy, physical therapy, home or school? Children who struggle with executive functioning deficits may have difficulties learning how to initiate and plan motor skills. Strategies to Help Initiate and Plan When Learning New Motor Skills Here are […]
What is body percussion? Body percussion is using different parts of the body to make music. Have you ever stopped to think how may sounds you can make with your body? You can clap, snap, tap, stomp, click and more. Why Is Body Percussion a Wonderful Activity for Kids? Research indicates that rhythm and […]
Previous research has demonstrated common motor skill deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which may be related to decreased planning and control of sensory motor skills. A recent study examined motor planning, autism and the skill of catching a ball to determine more specific information regarding impairments. Methodology of the Study on Motor Planning […]
Action Planning and Execution in Children with Cerebral Palsy Research in Developmental Disabilities published research on action planning and execution in children with cerebral palsy. The goal of the study was to determine the differences in anticipatory visual patterns between 13 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (average age 6.8 years) and 15 typically developing children (average […]