Due to the current environments
in which we live a child’s opportunity to participate in free outdoor play and sports in the backyard or local neighbourhood are under threat. This is particulalrly so with the rise in children using technology and sitting in front of a computer, I-Pad, smart phone, handheld game or television.
Gross motor skills inherently
develop and help refine fine motor skills which are required for school
readiness; and are a precursor for literacy, numeracy and independent
activities of daily living such as independent dressing and toileting.
So what are fine motor
skills? Fine motor skills require
hand-eye coordination. “Fine motor” refers to “small muscles” which is the use
of the small muscles of the hand or upper limb to manipulate and control items.
A preschooler (ages 3-5 years) will
begin to master skills such as manipulating buttons, control scissors, and begin to develop writing/drawing skills to
copy letters, numbers and shapes. These
are the skills that will further develop with their transition to school when
they will learn to write with good pen control; refine drawing; cut with scissors;
use a computer and play a musical instrument.
Occupational Therapists treat
motor skill difficulties in children.
Common problems seen in children with gross motor skill deficiencies include a lack of poor core stability; low muscle tone, a weakness in truck
muscles and a decrease in shoulder and wrist stability. These children will
lack a stable base of support required for balance and to coordinate tasks.
This results in fatigue when required to sit at a desk and undertake fine motor
tasks. The child may display a lack of attention, focus and concentration and
become easily distracted and then distract others i.e. in a classroom setting.
The benefits of a preschooler
participating in sport are endless. Besides developing gross motor skills
and assisting to refine fine motor skills required for school, sport is a
healthy alternative. It assists in developing team work skills; promotes
problem solving skills; and builds healthy self- esteem.
The Ready Steady Go Kids program
assists in motor development. Warm up
activities completed weekly such as jumping, hopping, skipping, galloping and
heel-to-toe walking promote motor planning and bilateral control. The child
will use and coordinate both sides of the body by participating in star jumps,
scissor jumps and the sporting activities such as footy, cricket and T-ball where
they catch and throw balls. By
participating in a variety of sports they undertake catching;
kicking; batting and throwing and learn
to control objects and coordinate these movements in a busy environment on the court;
and later on in life when involved in a sporting game.
The Gross motor sports circuits
set ups in the Ready Steady Go Kids program provide a multi-sensory experience for the child
and focus on developing physical strength, balance and coordination. These mini
sports circuits are goal focused and teach the child to take on a challenge and
fulfil a set goal such as shooting a puck, kicking a goal, smashing a volley
or putting around an obstacle. Participation in this active and structured
multi-sport program for 45 minutes each week re-enforces the importance of keeping
physically active; taking instruction from others; taking turns; cheering on
team mates and ultimately having fun and getting enjoyment from playing sport!
Submited by Carmen Dodds, Franchise Owner Western and CBD, Melbourne. Carmen is a qualified Occupational Pediatric Therapist.
