One tip for developing motor skills in children is to provide them with toys to promote hand coordination. Simple activities and games can also help with different types of motor skills in both children and adults. Adults who suffer from loss of motor skills due to disease or injury may find that performing certain exercises can help. School-aged children may benefit from enrollment in a motor development program.
Young children should be given blocks and wooden puzzles for developing fine motor skills. Choosing toys with knobs or handles that require grasping and manipulation can also help. In addition, encouraging a small child to attempt tasks, such as tying his shoes, buttoning his shirt, or putting on gloves by himself can promote fine motor skills.
Preschool-aged children should be encouraged to participate in physical activities designed for developing motor skills. Gross motor skills are often learned by participating in physical activities such as running, climbing, and jumping. Children as young as three years old should be encouraged to run and kick a ball.
An excellent activity for developing motor skills in toddlers is learning to swim. Providing a child with swimming lessons at an early age can promote fitness and gross motor skills. Swimming not only strengthens the body, but it can teach the central nervous system and the brain to coordinate with arm and leg muscles.
Encouraging a child to participate in gymnastics is another way of developing motor skills. Most gymnastics activities involve all major muscle groups. This can help improve muscle coordination and strengthen gross and fine motor skills.
Martial arts like karate and tae kwon do teach discipline and self defense. Most forms of martial arts also can be an excellent way of developing motor skills in children and teenagers. Parents and children who enroll in a martial art class together can experience other benefits as well, such as family togetherness.
Adults who have experienced loss of motor skills or those who are disabled may benefit from participating in various types of arts and crafts projects. Needlepoint, sewing, and crocheting are good ways of developing motor skills. Sculpting and painting are other activities that can help with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Some computer programs can also help individuals of all ages develop motor skills. Computer software programs that are designed to promote visual motor skills and hand-eye coordination can be fun and exciting for children and adults. Some programs are designed for physically challenged individuals, and these may include games and activities for developing motor skills.