Ways to Improve Your Child's Motor Planning

Ways to Improve Your Child’s MOTOR PLANNING

My child has trouble imitating movements?
To be able to imitate a movement, a child needs to have self-awareness (knowledge of who they are as a person) and body awareness. Many kids with motor planning trouble have a disconnection between their brain and body. Helping the child with novel movements by supporting them hand-over-hand helps “train” the motor system.

My child cannot naturally sustain a new movement?
As the brain learns new things, it needs repetition in order to strengthen new pathways & connections. Children with motor planning trouble need even more repetition than a typical child. Repetition is crucial; daily practice of new movements will help.

My child cannot initiate certain movements?
Motor planning is part of our front lobe. The cerebral cortex is involved in planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements. The frontal lobe develops fully once primitive reflexes are integrated. Most children with motor planing issues have retained reflexes that hold them back from having full control of their bodies.

“Motor planning relies on sensory feedback from the body & environment, as well as language memory, and cognitive skills.”

What is the best treatment to help?
Developing the brain from the bottom-up will help to develop the areas of the brain needed for motor planning. First primitive reflex integration, combined with core stability & balance, followed by cross-lateral engagement & specific sensory stimulation. Finally adding in cognitive skills while practicing coordination activities.