Motor skills are essential abilities that help Baby perform everyday movements and tasks, from holding their head up to picking up toys. Infant motor skills develop shortly after birth and strengthen as Baby grows, laying the foundation for independence and exploration.
Understanding the Two Types of Motor Skills
Motor skills are categorized into two groups, gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Both are needed reach Baby's motor milestones and to support overall baby motor development.
Gross Motor Skills:
Involve movements related to large muscles such as in the legs, arms, and trunk. Gross motor skills in infants look like lifting their head, pushing up on their arms, or simply moving their limbs when they're excited. Developing Baby's gross motor skills allows them to navigate and interact with their environment independently.
Fine Motor Skills:
Involve movements using smaller muscle groups such as those in the hand, fingers, and wrist. Fine motor skills in babies look like grasping small toys, closing their fists, or bringing their hands together. Developing Baby's fine motor skills is essential for tasks that require hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
The Importance of Motor Skill Development
Developing motor skills helps Baby:
Achieve Developmental Milestones: Developing motor skills is key to meeting milestones such as sitting up, standing, and walking.
Explore Their Environment: As motor skills develop, Baby can investigate and learn from their surroundings, which encourages cognitive development and sensory processing.
Build Confidence and Independence: Baby will feel empowered when they master new movements! This boost to Baby's self-esteem will encourage them to explore their world.
By helping Baby build gross and fine motor skills, parents and caregivers support their their overall development and give them the tools they need for daily activities and learning experiences.
For more information on how to support Baby's motor development and what to watch for as they grow, explore the following resources.