Introduction
When it comes to child development, fostering motor skills from an early age is crucial for brain development, as highlighted by Professor Shichida in his book “Phát triển Trí lực và Tài năng Trẻ nhỏ” and Kubota Kisou’s “Dạy Con Kiểu Nhật.” Motor skills can be categorized into two types: gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills, which develop before fine motor skills, require coordination and the development of large muscle groups in the arms, legs, torso, and feet. These skills include activities such as rolling over, waving, sitting, pulling, pushing, jumping, running, and more. They play a significant role in a child’s early years’ development.
The Importance of Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills, on the other hand, involve the coordination of muscles, bones, and nerves to perform precise and small movements. Examples of fine motor skills include picking up small objects with fingers, cutting shapes with scissors, drawing straight lines or circles, holding a pen and writing, sorting clothes, stacking wooden blocks, buttoning clothes, and more. Fine motor skills are used to assess a child’s developmental age. These skills develop over time through practice and guidance.
Nurturing Motor Skills in Children
As parents, it is essential to create opportunities for our children to develop these skills. The earlier they start practicing, the more their young brains are stimulated, leading to the development of their intelligence. From the very beginning, even when they are just a few months old, we can engage our children in simple activities such as grasping and releasing objects, exploring different textures, tracking objects with their eyes, lifting their heads, and working on reflexes, among other things. As they grow a little older, they can practice sitting, protecting their hands when falling, jumping, imitating gestures, and more. As they progress, they can engage in tasks like peeling and sticking, pulling and inserting, sliding up and down, pressing buttons, and so on, which can be turned into an interactive game board like the one shown in the image.
Personal Experience and Useful Resources
I have personally followed these exercise routines with my child, Q, starting from when they were just a few months old. The results have been remarkable. Q started lifting their head within a few seconds, and by the age of one month and five days, they could lift it up high and hold it steadily. Q’s neck became strong, and they even learned to tilt their head to one side to take a break during rolling exercises. They also began extending their hands backward when sitting unsteadily, among other achievements. It is important to note that this progress is not due to exceptional intelligence or being a prodigy, but rather the result of consistent practice. Your child can achieve the same or even better results with proper guidance. Detailed exercise instructions for developing motor skills in children can be found in the “Dạy Con Kiểu Nhật” series by Kubota Kisou and “Phát triển Trí lực và Tài năng Trẻ nhỏ” by Makoto Shichida. Personally, I find Professor Shichida’s materials to be more detailed and targeted at a higher level than Kisou’s. However, I encourage you to try different exercises with your child and explore what works best for them. After all, kids are naturally curious and eager to learn.
Conclusion
Developing motor skills is a vital aspect of a child’s overall development. By focusing on both gross and fine motor skills, we can lay the foundation for their physical and cognitive growth. Remember, the early years are crucial, so let’s provide our children with the necessary support and opportunities to explore and strengthen their motor skills. For more information and guidance, visit Kienthucykhoa.com.
