In-Depth Notes on Motor Skills Development

Acknowledgement of Country

  • Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians of the lands of the University of Melbourne.
  • Respects paid to Elders past, present, and future.
  • Special mention of Aboriginal students, staff, communities, and non-Aboriginal allies.

Copyright Information

  • Material protected under the Copyright Act 1968.
  • Restrictions on reproduction and communication of material.

Development of Specialized Motor Skills (Ages 7+)

Fine Motor Skills

  • Ability to write on lines.
  • Development and maintenance of handwriting legibility.

Gross Motor Skills

  • Utilization of bats, sport-specific skills.
  • Importance of mastery through practice for ongoing participation in physical activities.

Introduction to Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS)

  • FMS progression from Prep to Year 5:
    • Catch: Introduced in Prep, mastered by Year 4.
    • Kick: Introduced in Prep, mastered by Year 4.
    • Run: Introduced in Prep, mastered by Year 2.
    • Vertical Jump, Overhand Throw, Ball Bounce, Leap, Dodge, Punt, Forehand Strike, Two-hand Side-arm Strike: chronology of introduction and mastery similar to above entries.

Relationship Between FMS and Sport-Specific Skills

  • FMS instruction influences sport-specific skill performance.
  • Skills include Javelin Throw, Baseball Pitch, Badminton Clear, Tennis Serve, Gridiron Pass, Volleyball Serve, implemented with the foundational skills of throwing and striking.

Impact of Physical Activity in Childhood

Key Points
  • Early childhood as a foundation for an active lifestyle; physical activity levels track into adulthood.
  • Role of physiotherapists in promoting early childhood physical activity to enhance motor skills.
  • Active participation declines from childhood to adolescence.

Systematic Review on Motor Competence and Health

  • Focus on motor skill competence and its association with weight status, positive activity levels, and fitness.
  • Understanding the unclear relationships impacting these variables over time.

Development of Motor Skills Timeline

  1. Reflexive (Fetal - 1 yr): Primitive reflexes for nourishment and protection.
  2. Rudimentary (Birth - 2 yrs): Basic voluntary movement exploration.
  3. Fundamental (2 - 6 yrs): Activities like walking, running, jumping; further refinement.
  4. Specialized (7+ yrs): Applying motor skills in increasingly complex contexts.
Non-Motor Development
  • Importance of cognitive, play, and communication development.
  • These areas are interlinked and essential for overall growth.

Developmental Milestones in Motor Control by Age

2 Years Old
  • Fine Motor: Tower building, scribbling, basic self-care skills.
  • Gross Motor: Running, climbing, throwing.
  • Communication: Vocabulary of 50+, simple sentences, and commands.
3 Years Old
  • Fine Motor: Tower of 10 cubes, threading beads, preliminary drawing skills.
  • Gross Motor: Improved running, throwing, and catching.
  • Cognition/Play Skills: Engaging in imaginative play, understanding sharing.
4 Years Old
  • Fine Motor: Uses utensils effectively, advanced drawing skills.
  • Gross Motor: Proficient stair navigation, improved ball skills.
5 Years Old
  • Fine Motor: Elaborate model building, established hand preference.
  • Gross Motor: Experienced with various physical activities, improved coordination.
6 Years Old
  • Fine Motor: Increased writing endurance, starts tying shoelaces.
  • Gross Motor: Balancing skills, riding a bike.

Motor Control Development Influencing Factors

  • Variables include sensorimotor systems, cognitive anticipation, sensory perception, and task requirements to optimize movement.

Postural Control Components

  • Postural control includes sensory systems (vision, somatosensory, vestibular) and motor adjustments (reactive and anticipatory) necessary for maintaining balance and coordination.

Conclusion

  • Understanding of child motor control development processes from infancy to late childhood.
  • Emphasis on gradual mastery and interrelationship between different types of motor skills and overall child development.