Motor planning is the ability to conceive, plan, and carry out a skilled, no-habitual motor act in the correct sequence from beginning to end. Incoming sensory stimuli must be correctly integrated in order to form the basis for appropriate, coordinated motor responses. In simpler terms, it is how the brain processes information from various sensory systems to plan and carry out motor movements. Kids need to learn how to use both sides of their body at the same time which is also called bilateral coordination.
Why Is Motor Planning Important?
Motor planning is important for our little kiddos to make their movements happen for every day skills they need to function with. These every day tasks can involve brushing their teeth, washing their hands, putting on their socks or shoes, getting dressed, running, riding a bike, etc. Difficulty with motor planning is known as dyspraxia. Children with this condition may have normal strength and muscle tone but struggle with the planning and coordination necessary to use their muscles. Kids with dyspraxia may have difficulty jumping with two feet and playing along with popular children songs involving hand movements. They may appear clumsy and may trip easily over untied shoelaces. Most children and adults have an innate awareness of how and what their body is doing. We all need to practice new tasks to master them but if the brain cannot gather and process all the necessary information needed to initiate and complete a task then problems begin to emerge.
How Does Pediatric Physical Therapy Help With Motor Planning?
Pediatric Physical Therapists can evaluate and assess a child’s strength, muscle tone, and coordination with gross motor skills to determine if the delay or problem may be coming from motor or postural control (strength) or if it appears to be more of a motor planning disorder involving bilateral coordination or sensory processing. Motor planning issues in children that become hindrances to them can lead them to become fearful of activities or withdrawn. Physical therapy activities to break down motor skills and provide appropriate assistance with initial steps and sequencing with repetition can help the tasks become more automatic. The brain can rewire and be re-trained to have motor memory for skills that are broken down and practiced regularly!Some examples of motor planning activities that can be helpful are animal walks, obstacle courses, Yoga cards, Simon says, ball activities-catching, throwing, kicking, climbing ladders, jumping, hopping, galloping, skipping, and cross crawls.
For Further Reading & Reference: “Why Motor Skills Matter” By: Tara Losquadro Liddle, M.P.T.
