Why Motor Skills Matter: Improve Your Child's Physical Development to Enhance Learning and Self-Esteem

by Tara Losquadro-Liddle

"This is an important book [that] offers critical insights and the hope for a bright developmental future that all children, parents, and the professionals who serve them need." --T.B. Brazelton, M.D., Founder, Brazelton Touchpoints Center, Boston Children's Hospital

"Why Motor Skills Matter shows how children use their senses and bodies to explore their environments and what we can do to protect and strengthen this critical pathway for their development, health, and learning." --Joshua Sparrow, M.D., Director, Brazelton Touchpoints Center, Boston Children's Hospital



Learn To Use Physical Activity To Raise An Emotionally Well-Balanced, More Coordinated, And Happier Child

Playful interaction beginning in infancy is crucial to a child's cognitive skills, language, speech, and overall emotional balance. Filled with practical, age-appropriate activities for children from newborns up to age five, Why Motor Skills Matter helps you to:


Integrate touch, movement, and body awareness during playtime. Ensure that your child progresses through the proper developmental sequence. Determine if your child has sensory processing difficulties or disorders. Avoid common developmental mistakes, such as using exersaucers, having your child wear hard-soled shoes, and promoting early walking.

Genres: Parenting

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2003

Reviews

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guide to child development with a focus on touch, movement, and gross/fine motor skills. Includes the proper developmental sequence, activities to incorporate during playtime, and a list of developmental mistakes to avoid.

[Smita Jha]

It was interesting reading about how the different physical milestones affect a child's motor skills. We worry so much about when they talk and walk, but don't notice the smaller signs of progression. Don't read this book if you have a tendency to micromanage and worry, but definitely read this book for a set of activities that can actually help build those motor skills that your child might need.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

At only, 206 pages this is a fairly quick read.

Filled with practical, age-appropriate activities for newborns and children up to five years old, "Why Motor Skills Matter" explains that playful interaction beginning in infancy is crucial to a child's learning abilities, language, speech, and overall emotional balance. The author explains the impact motor skills have on the self esteem of a child, helping parents participate more fully in their child's development.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read the section for Rex's age. Although it was interesting to read WHY motor skills do matter, I am more interested in reading about specific ideas for activities. I guess since I don't have tons of free time I'm focused on the "and so, now what" part and not the rationale.

[Jordyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now view motor development as important as good sleep, eating habits and brain development. At times, repetitive and wordy describing principles but many good tactical games, activities dispersed throughout.

[Reuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reread in 1990.