Motor Skills for Toddlers Aged 2 - 3 Years Old

Assalamualaikum w.b.t

Dear beloved readers

Motor skill is a physical skill which require whole body movement and is divided into two categories which are fine and gross motor skills. 

Gross motor skills:the bigger movements — such as rolling over and sitting — that use the large muscles in the arms, legs, torso, and feet*.

Fine motor skills: small movements — such as picking up small objects and holding a spoon — that use the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrists, lips, and tongue*

(*source: LINK)

Children activities that involves large muscles group and body coordination such as walking, running, standing, sit up straight, catch a ball and swimming are examples of gross motor skill. During early childhood, the large and strong muscle groups in the body act as a  core stabilizer that enables infants to hold their heads up, sit, and crawl. Even from just a few months old, babies are developing fine motor skills. Playing with rings, blocks, rattles and stuffed animals can teach them the how to grasp, hold and letting go. 

Once your child is 2 years old, she’s officially a toddler! And it can be hard not to compare your child with other toddling tots. If you’re not completely sure what skills are typical at this age, check out these developmental milestones.

Keep in mind that kids develop at different paces.You can help your child to enhance their motor skills. Here are some great ways to get started with fine motor activities for your little one age 0 - 2 years old:

• Grasping and letting go (rings, blocks, rattles, favorite blanket or stuffed animal).
  
• Turning objects in their hands (again, blocks, rings, other favorite toys. Introducing new and novel toys will also encourage them to explore and turn that object in their hands to figure it out).
  
• Stacking blocks (for this age stacking 2-6 blocks is age appropriate).
• Drawing with crayons.
• Snapping, buttoning (very large buttons and this is more appropriate for closer to age 12-18 months).

Gross motor activities for toddlers are the perfect way to get your little one up and moving. Check out The Inspired Tree House as they share tons of fun and simple ways to promote gross motor skills in your child between ages 1 and 2.