Sensorimotor skills: the basics of children's motor skills
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Sensorimotor skills are a part of motor skills in which the senses of the body play a role.
Sensorimotor science is the research discipline concerned with the development of the senses and body of a human being. This development takes place through movement and the processing of stimuli from the environment.
In this article I discuss the definition, research and the influence on children's motor skills.
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What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
Sensorimotor: the development of the senses and motor skills in children
Sensorimotor skills are the combination of the senses and motor skills. It is about the body's ability to perceive, process and respond to stimuli through movement. This begins in newborns and develops throughout childhood. Sensorimotor skills are crucial to the functioning of the child's body and behavior learning motor skills.
The development of sensory motor skills
The development of sensorimotor skills starts from birth. Newborns still have little control over their bodies and mainly move reflexively. At about four months, the child begins to discover movements and learn to coordinate. From that moment on they can, for example, grab a ball and play with it. Between four and six months, the child develops the motor skills to see and touch things. This is the beginning of discovering the area.
Stimulate sensorimotor development
Stimulating sensorimotor development is very important for the child. It helps to develop coordination, balance and regulation of stimuli. Here are some tips to stimulate sensorimotor development:
- Let the child play and exercise daily in a warm and safe environment.
- Offer the child new challenges, such as jumping or balancing.
- Stimulate the child to see, feel and hear things through games.
- Let the child discover sand, water and other materials with the hands and body.
- Observe the child's behavior and reaction and adjust the activities accordingly.
Sensorimotor problems
A lack of sensorimotor skills can lead to disrupted development and behavior. For example, the child can quickly become overstimulated or want to take few stimuli. In some cases, the child may refuse certain activities or be afraid to move. It is important to identify this in time and to seek help. Disturbed sensorimotor development can affect the functioning of the child later in life.
The importance of your child's primary senses
The primary senses are the senses your child has from birth: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. These senses are essential to your child's development and are the foundation for learning and understanding the world around them.
Why are they sometimes overlooked?
More emphasis is often placed on the development of a child's cognitive skills, such as language and math. Because of this, the primary senses are sometimes overlooked. But it's important to remember that these senses are the foundation for learning and understanding the world around them.
How do your child's primary senses develop?
The development of your child's primary senses begins in the womb. After birth, these senses develop rapidly and become increasingly sophisticated.
In the first months of your child's life, the senses are not yet fully developed. For example, your child's vision is still limited to large shapes and both eyes do not yet work well together. But as your child grows older, the senses continue to develop and become more sophisticated.
The development of the primary senses is influenced by several factors, such as the environment your child grows up in, the experiences they have and the knowledge they gain. The physical development of your child also plays a role in the development of the senses.
How can you stimulate the development of the primary senses?
There are several ways in which you can stimulate the development of your child's primary senses. Here are some tips:
- Play: Play is a great way to stimulate your child's senses. Let your child play outside and look at, touch and smell objects. This can help develop the senses and learn new skills.
- Tools: There are several tools available that can help stimulate your child's senses. For example, think of toys that have different textures or musical instruments.
- Repeat Responses: If your child responds to a particular stimulus, repeat it. This can help develop the senses and learn new skills.
- Fun activities: Try to think of fun activities that stimulate your child's senses. This can help develop the senses and learn new skills.
It is important to remember that the development of your child's primary senses is a process that takes time. It may take time for your child to master certain skills. But by stimulating your child's senses, you can help develop their skills and behavior.
What are the possible effects of a disturbed development of the primary senses?
Disturbed development of the primary senses can lead to lasting changes in your child's behavior and skills. This can, for example, lead to a low balance, which is why it is important to stimulate the development of the senses.
If the development of your child's primary senses is disrupted, this can also lead to changes in the connections in the brain. This can lead to problems with cognitive functions and skills later in life.
What can you do as a parent?
As a parent, you can play an important role in stimulating the development of your child's primary senses. Allowing your child to play and experience new things can help develop their senses and skills.
It is also important to remember that every child is different and the development of the senses can differ between children. If you are concerned about the development of your child's senses, it is best to contact a specialist.
Did you know?
- The development of your child's primary senses begins in the womb.
- Stimulating your child's senses can lead to better motor and cognitive development.
- Disturbed development of the primary senses can lead to permanent changes
What is Sensorimotor?
Sensorimotor is a concept that describes the relationship between the senses and the motor skills of the body. This concerns the way in which the body processes information and responds to it. Sensorimotor skills are a crucial concept in child development, as they form the basis for many skills needed to function well in everyday life.
There are several ways in which you can stimulate your child's sensorimotor development. Below you will find a number of tips:
- Offer your child daily exercise challenges such as climbing, jumping, and balancing.
- Play games together that require your child to move, such as tag, hide and seek or football.
- Provide an environment in which your child can move and explore safely.
- Give your child regular opportunities to play with different types of materials, such as sand, water, clay and paint.
- Introduce your child to different sounds, shapes and textures.
- Watch your child carefully and respond to his or her interests and needs.
What are symptoms of sensorimotor skills deficiency?
Children who have difficulty with their sensorimotor development may display a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Problems with fine motor skills, such as writing and cutting.
- Difficulty regulating own emotions.
- Low self-esteem.
- Fear of moving or trying new things.
- Refusing to do or eat certain things.
- Problems with social interaction.
If you suspect that your child has problems with his or her sensorimotor development, it is good to talk to a specialist about this.
Stimulate your child's sensorimotor development
- Sensorimotor development begins at birth and continues until about age seven.
- There are different types of material and methods to stimulate sensorimotor activity.
- It is important to stimulate sensorimotor skills, as this affects the overall development of the child.
- A disturbed sensorimotor development can lead to problems in the motor and social-emotional field.
- Free information and tips on sensorimotor development can be found on various websites, such as those of authors and teachers.
- One method to stimulate sensorimotor development is the PlayGuide, which consists of a schedule of activities for young children.
- In groups 1 and 2 of primary school, attention is paid to the sensorimotor development of pupils.
Do I need to train my child's sensory motor skills?
Not all children are equally interested in sensory motor skills and that is completely normal. Some children just need more time to develop in this area. If you're concerned, it's best to consult a professional to see if there's a problem.
Conclusion
Sensorimotor skills are the combination of your senses and your motor skills with which you perceive information from your environment and to which you respond. Being able to move your body and discover your surroundings is crucial, so stimulate the development of your sensorimotor skills with the tips in this article.
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.
