Gross motor skills allow a child to feel a sense of independence by being able
to crawl, walk, roll or even just sit-up to things that they enjoy or want to
explore further. Obviously in infancy a child needs more attention and physical
support then once their gross motor skills are becoming perfected, but once a
child gets to the point in which they can maneuver their bodies themselves,
allow it.
Fine motor skills are discovered by the infant and again provide another form
of independence when they are able to grasp something they want all by
themselves by using their hands, arms, fingers and even toes. However, having
the knowledge of what may seem to be abnormal within these skill levels may
help catch a snag before it becomes detrimental as they grow. Some signs of
gross and fine motor delays may display the possibility of cerebral palsy or
autism (as examples), which is what I had experienced.
Child Development Center nears completion at Beale...
English: An intubated female premature infant born...
United Cerebral PalsyWith my limited amount
of knowledge I was able to recognize delays within my sons gross and fine motor
skills early enough to get help and work him through the delays. At first it
was suggested that my son may be autistic, however, after many therapies and
"fine-tuning" it turned out to just be delays due to his premature birth.
However, those delays, if not dealt with early enough, could have left my son
at a disadvantage for the rest of his life.
Allow your child to explore, cautiously of course, but allow them the
independence they have worked so hard at achieving. This not only promotes a
healthy self image but it helps them realize they can do it without mommy or
daddy's hand all of the time. They worked so hard at helping their coordination
and physical beings develop...