Getting dressed, climbing into the car, learning a new dance, or navigating playground equipment may seem like simple activities. But for some children, figuring out how to move their bodies through these everyday tasks can be surprisingly challenging.
If your child seems clumsy, needs extra time to learn new movements, or struggles with activities their peers seem to pick up easily, they may be having difficulty with motor planning. Understanding what this developmental skill is and what goes into it can help you better understand why certain activities are challenging for your child—and how you can help.
What Is Motor Planning?
Motor planning is your child’s ability to figure out how to perform a movement they haven’t done before or to complete a familiar movement in a new way. It involves coming up with an idea, figuring out how the body needs to move, and then carrying out those movements in the correct order.
We use motor planning throughout the day, without even realizing it. Your child relies on motor planning when they learn how to climb onto a swing, put on a new jacket, get through an obstacle course, or imitate movements during a game.
For children who have difficulty with motor planning, however, these seemingly simple activities can require a lot more thought and effort.
What Can Motor Planning Challenges Look Like?
Every child develops at their own pace, and having trouble with a new activity doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem. However, children with motor planning difficulties may consistently have a harder time figuring out how to approach or complete unfamiliar movements.
You might notice that your child:
- Takes a while to learn new physical activities
- Has difficulty following a sequence of movements
- Seems awkward or clumsy during play
- Struggles to imitate gestures or body movements
- Avoids unfamiliar playground equipment or physical games
- Needs frequent demonstrations or step-by-step instructions
- Has trouble figuring out how to position their body during an activity
- Becomes frustrated when learning new movement skills
These challenges can show up in everything from play and sports to dressing, grooming, school activities, and other daily routines.
Why Can Motor Planning Be Difficult for Some Children?
Successfully planning a movement requires the brain and body to work together. Your child needs information from several sensory systems to understand where their body is, how it is moving, and what is happening around them.
For example, the proprioceptive system provides information about the position and movement of the body, while the vestibular system helps with balance and movement. Vision and touch also provide important information your child uses to plan and adjust their movements.
When the brain has difficulty organizing and using this sensory information, figuring out what the body needs to do next can become much harder.
How Can I Help My Child Build Motor Planning Skills?
Practice can help children become more confident with movement, especially when it happens through activities that feel fun rather than frustrating.
Try activities such as:
- Obstacle courses
- Simon Says
- Follow-the-leader
- Dancing
- Playing on the playground
- Building forts
Breaking unfamiliar activities into smaller steps and demonstrating each movement can also make new skills feel more manageable. Most importantly, give your child plenty of opportunities to practice without pressure. What looks like a simple movement may require significant effort for them.
Occupational Therapy Can Make Everyday Movement Easier
If motor planning challenges interfere with your child’s ability to play, participate at school, complete daily routines, or keep up with activities they enjoy, pediatric occupational therapy can help.
At Sensational Development, our occupational therapists use fun, play-based activities to help children develop the sensory and motor skills they need to participate more confidently in everyday life. By meeting your child where they are and building skills through meaningful activities, we can help them take on new challenges and become more independent.
Contact Sensational Development today to learn more about pediatric occupational therapy and how we can help your child reach their fullest potential.
