Motor Development In Children From 0 To 5 Years
From neonatal reflexes to writing sentences, motor development in children from 0 to 5 years old is a stage of evolution and lifelong learning, both for them and for their parents.
In this period, a series of changes in motor skills allow the coordination of bones, muscles, tendons and nerves. The ability to walk and the precision to take things are two defining abilities of human beings.
They begin to develop at birth, and key organs are involved, among which we can highlight:
- Brain.
- Spinal cord.
- Peripheral nerves.
- Muscles
- Joints.
The nervous system, responsible for motor development, matures according to a pre-established order. The sequence is clear and predictable, allowing you to track and detect possible abnormalities.
The first sign of motor development in children
The first sign of motor activity is in the head. The newborn can turn it from side to side when it is on its back. If it is upside down, on the other hand, you can lift it high enough.
Little by little, the baby will develop the movement of the hands, essential for motor development in children from 0 to 5 years old.
There are several stages that the child goes through. At birth, he measures 50 centimeters on average and weighs 3.5 kilos. He has a large head and eyes, a small nose, plump cheeks, and a cleft chin. From there, the curve of physical and cognitive, psychological and social development begins.
From two months, the coordination of the eye with the hand begins. The little one sees an object and tries to take it, until with practice he manages to take it.
Smile and stick out your tongue
From three months to one year of age we can differentiate three well-marked stages in terms of the child’s motor development:
- At three months, the baby begins to smile and stick out his tongue. Is able to stay seated with support. With motor development in children from 0 to 5 years old, babbling also begins. Keeps hands open and holds an object with fingers and palm.
- From the age of six months, he begins to crawl and sit up without help. A few months later, you will be able to hold on and take steps. Although awkwardly, he grabs objects with both hands without involving his fingers and releases them. You can also direct your hand to the opposite side of your body.
- More or less after the middle of the year, their independence and curiosity increase. Everything takes it to the mouth, so it is a stage of risks.
Walking with help
After a year, he discovers the stairs, which he can climb with help. Build a tower of two cubes and toss and collect the ball with your hands and feet. He is also capable of grasping objects with his index finger and thumb.
He begins to eat alone and sits in a small chair. Their autonomy increases, but so do their tantrums and their jealousy.
At the age of two, he walks up and down stairs alone, jumps with two feet, kicks a ball or rides a tricycle. His social and cognitive development increases and he interacts more with other children.
He is able to draw lines and look at books. He spoon-feeds himself and forms sentences, although sometimes incoherent.
From the slide
Running fast, copying a circle, or standing on one foot are skills that he develops from the age of 3. Cut with scissors, put together a three-piece puzzle, slide down a slide, and walk on tiptoe.
At four years of age, he stands on one foot longer. Jump, climb and dance skillfully. He leans over and touches the ground with his hands and opens a locked padlock. He expresses thoughts, perfects drawings and loves collective play.
He turned 5 years old: he already writes words
From the age of five, the child is already able to go down stairs with one foot on each step. Copy triangles, numbers, and simple words, uppercase and lowercase. Also, make knots, and cut with scissors following lines. You can also write sentences.
At this age, the child can change direction while running and walking on a board while maintaining balance. He also jumps back.
Lateral dominance appears
Subsequently , the preference for one hand, one eye and one foot begins to be established, known as lateral dominance. If it achieves the correspondence between the three organs, we speak of homogeneous laterality. Otherwise, it will be crossed.
Motor development in children from 0 to 5 years of age has achieved, at this age, a fairly wide range of actions of its own, which will increase in precision, endurance, speed, coordination and strength during growth.
