How to Help Kids Learn Motor Skills Through Educational Toys

How to Help Kids Learn Motor Skills Through Educational Toys

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Motor skills are divided up into two areas; fine motor skills and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are what gives a child the ability to handle or manipulate small objects. Fine motor skills are required for things like drawing, writing painting, cutting and other more intricate tasks. Gross motor skills use more of the larger muscles along with balance and coordination. These skills give young children the ability to run, walk jump, roll, hop and other larger physical movements. Motor skills are an extremely important part of your child’s early. Some statistics say that approximately 15% of students attending primary schools experience motor difficulties. Also the ratio of boys to girls with a motor disability is 3:1. These statistics are staggering but an even more shocking statistic is one that says 60% of students also have problems in areas such as speech, short attention span, poor listening, poor self concept,  abnormal or unacceptable behavior and general learning problems. A child can also be affected socially from lack of motor skills by being isolated or by having low self-esteem.

Despite all these negative statistics there is no need for you child to fall behind. In fact you can help your child do just the opposite. There really are so many ways you can help your child develop in the area of motor skills. To help their fine motor skills encourage them to play with things such as Playdough, Blocks, Puzzles, and Painting. All these activities can help in the development of your child’s fine motor skills because tasks like these require hand and finger coordination. For the improvement of gross motor skills you can do something as simple as take your child for a hike, let them climb the monkey bars at the playground, or play a sport in which you strike a ball like golf, tennis or baseball. These activities can significantly improve your child’s balance and focus.

There is a wide variety of toys that are made specifically for children with developmental problems so as a parent you have more of a selection when it comes to helping your child. The toy company Melissa and Doug has a great line of toys specifically to help with basic skills. For example the popular Latches Board contains six types of latches that open to doors showing different colors, shapes and numbers. Another activity board Melissa and Doug created is called the Basic Skills board. The Basic Skills board consists of things like zippers, buttons, clasps, strings and belts. This board in particular can benefit a child because it teaches them the fine motor skills that they will need to perform basic skills that they’ll use in their everyday life. For gross motor skills Guide Craft provides a product called Sensory Stepping Stones. These stepping stones are individual in color and texture. The varied color and texture gives the child the sensory benefits while also increasing balance and coordination. These are just a few toys that are available for fine and motor skill help. All these toys are especially beneficial because your child while having fun is also learning without even knowing. At the same time you can rest easy knowing that your child is getting the motivation they need to help them develop in the area of motor skills. So give your child a helping hand and watch their little minds grow and develop before your eyes.