Motor skills are the ability to move to do the things you want, must and need to do. They are divided into two types:
- Gross motor skills involve large muscle movements, like running, jumping, and throwing.
- Fine motor skills involve smaller muscle movements, like writing, buttoning a shirt, and using scissors.
Developing motor skills is essential for daily activities and overall coordination.
Some young people may struggle with rhythm, movement, and using larger equipment during physical education activities and might need additional support with coordination and motor skills development.
Support the development of gross motor skills with practical ideas for younger children in school. You can find motor skills advice for secondary-aged young people from the Solihull Specialist Inclusion Support Service. Use a variety of practical ideas and strategies to help children in school develop their fine motor skills. Activities to develop fine motor skills include threading, cutting with safety scissors, using children’s tweezers or cooking tongs to pick things up and transport and craft activities: painting, gluing, peeling and sticking stickers, and peeling fruit.
Beacon House has produced a number of resources including a hand gym video and resource to support fine motor skills which can be found on their website under the heading 'Occupational Therapy'.