Week 5 - Object Control, Locomotor, and Stability Skills in Childhood

What are fundamental movement skills (FMS)?

Basic building blocks of movement, including locomotor, object control, and stability skills.

What are examples of locomotor skills?

Running, hopping, skipping.

What are examples of manipulative skills?

Throwing, catching, kicking.

What are examples of stability skills?

Balancing, twisting, bending.

Why are fundamental movement skills essential?

They are crucial for participation in physical activities, games, and sports.

What factors facilitate the acquisition of fundamental skills?

Opportunities for practice, quality instruction, supportive environments, and motivation.

What factors can interfere with the development of fundamental skills?

Limited opportunities, developmental delays, poor instruction, and environmental constraints.

How does motor development interact with cognitive development?

Skill development supports physical activity and exploration, aiding cognitive learning.

How does movement contribute to cognitive development in children?

Movement helps children learn concepts like space, cause-effect, and problem-solving.

What is the affective aspect of development in relation to movement?

Success in movement builds confidence, motivation, and social skills.

How do motor, cognitive, and affective domains interact?

They reinforce each other, shaping overall development.

Structural constraints

Height, weight, limb length, muscle mass, body proportions.

Functional constraints

Strength, balance, coordination, motivation, attention, and practice opportunities.

Locomotion

Moving the body from one place to another.

Fundamental motor skill

Supports exploration, independence, and participation in physical activity.

Types of locomotion in early life

Crawling/creeping → early infancy; Walking/running → childhood to adulthood.

Locomotion changes in later life

May slow, shorten stride, or show decline due to aging constraints (strength, balance, flexibility).

Manipulative skills

Controlling or handling objects with hands or feet.

Examples of manipulative skills

Throwing, catching, striking, kicking, dribbling, writing, using utensils.

Gross manipulative skills

Large-object control (throwing, catching, kicking). Improve in childhood, peak in adolescence/adulthood, may decline with age.

Fine manipulative skills

Small-object control (writing, buttoning, using tools). Develop through childhood, refine with practice, may decline with aging (arthritis, tremors).

Power grip

Whole hand grasps object (infants hold toys, adults hold a hammer). Present early in infancy.

Precision grip

Tips of fingers and thumb manipulate small objects (picking up a coin, writing). Develops around 9-12 months and refines across childhood; may decline with aging due to reduced dexterity.

Role of vision in manipulative skill development

Guides reaching, grasping, and object control.

Visual feedback in early infancy

Helps babies correct hand placement.

Vision in childhood

Refines accuracy in throwing, catching, aiming.

Vision in adults/older adults

Compensates for declines in strength and reaction time.

Stages of FMS development

Initial stage: Awkward, uncoordinated, lacking rhythm; Elementary stage: More control and coordination, but still inconsistent; Mature stage: Smooth, efficient, adaptable performance.

Initial stage of FMS

Awkward, uncoordinated, lacking rhythm (e.g., toddler's run).

Elementary stage of FMS

More control and coordination, but still inconsistent.

Mature stage of FMS

Smooth, efficient, adaptable performance (e.g., proficient skipping, throwing).