Motor Skill Development In Infants

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Motor skill development in infants is a key aspect of their overall growth and development. There are two types of motor skills :

1. Gross motor skill: 

The gross motor skills are to do wirh larger muscle groups and these include movements such as running, walking, jumping and others. 

2. Fine motor skills: 

These involve smaller muscle groups. They include movements such as grasping, holding, and manipulation of objects.

The motor skill development milestones are: 

1. 0-3 months old infants: 

From zero to three months old, the infants can begin to lift their heads. They can also bring their hands to the middle of their bodies, especially the stomach region. They can hold light objects such as toys briefly.

2. 4-6 months old infants: 

At this stage, the infants can roll over from their stomachs to their backs and vice versa. They can reach out for toys and other objects of interest and grab them. They can also sit up if supported by someone.

3. 7-9 month old infants: 

The infants can crawl and move their arms and legs in a coordinated way. They can sit up without any support from anybody. They can stand with a support (either holding the furniture or someone).

4. 10-12 months old infants:

They can walk if they hold somebody or furniture. They can point at an object and communicate by gestures. At this stage of development, they have improved fine motor skills. They begin to use their hands and fingers to manipulate objects. 

What should parents and caregivers do to enhance their infants motor skill development? They are required to engage in the following activities:

1. Tummy time: Parents are encouraged to place their infants on his/ her stomach to ensure that his/ her neck and back muscles are strenghtened. If parents neglect this simple exercise either by omission or commission, it will adversely affect their infants motor skills development because the neck and back muscles will be weak and flabby.

2. Reaching out to pick toys: 

Parents should strategically place toys or other colourful light objects in front of their infants to lure them to reach out to pick them either by crawling or stretching the body and arms. Once the infant does this and gets the toy or object of interest, the parent will be very happy because two objectives were achieved. One, the child's motor skill has improved. Two, the child has been taught at an early childhood to learn problem-solving skills. When he/ she grows up into adulthood, he/ she will remember the principle of crawling or stretching the body to solve problems.

3. Crawling and walking spaces: 

Parents should provide safe crawling and walking spaces for the infants to avoid their sustaining injuries. Mats should be provided and the rooms swept thoroughly.

4. Finger games are necessary. Parents should play fingers games which shall require their infants fingers for the game, especially the peek-a-boo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have emphasized the importance of proper nutrition for infants growth and development, which directly supports motor skills development. According to WHO, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant is indisputably crucial for optimal growth and development of motor skills in infants. The WHO has recommended the following milestones for motor skills development:

1. Infants physical activity: 

Infants should be physically active throughout the day, with at least 30 minutes of tummy timer.

2. Motor skill development: 

Infants should be able to lift their heads while on their stomachs by 1-2 months, sit up by support by 4-6 months, and stand up by support by 9-12 months. The UNICEF has provided guidelines for infant development, emphasizing the importance of responsive parenting, caregiving, and a nurturing environment. The European Union and US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) primarily focus on child nutrition and food safety guidelines for infants, rather than motor skill development, specifically. However, both of them stressed the fact that proper nutrition is sine qua non for supporting the infants' overall growth and development, including infants' motor skills.

In summary, proper nutrition, responsive caregiving, good parenting, and safe environment, are crucial for the motor skills development in infants, as well as supporting their overall growth and development.

Please, kindly share with your friends and loved ones. Thank you very much!





 

 




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