Sensory and motor development are two very crucial and pivotal developments in a child\u2019s life and concurrently aid in the individual\u2019s growth and learning. According to HealthLink BC, sensory and motor development are a gradual process wherein a child learns how to use and coordinate large muscles in the body, such as the legs, trunk, and arms, and one system simply cannot function without the other. A child gains various sensory awareness through sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing, and building a solid sensory and motor foundation is critical before advancing to higher learning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Motor Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, children grow very rapidly during the first five years of their life. Motor development refers to the process of physical growth and gaining strength in a child\u2019s bones, muscles, and moving to touch their surroundings. Development is categorized in two ways: fine motor and gross motor skills, and examples of this include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sensory Skills <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As the name implies, sensory development refers to the process in which a child\u2019s senses mature. This maturation recruits the help of the nervous system and the way a child receives, organizes, understands, and responds to stimuli from the environment with an appropriate movement or behavior. As with motor skills, it is important to monitor a child\u2019s development as they grow older to see if they are progressing appropriately for their age. The five senses are as listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways to activate a child\u2019s motor and sensory skills simultaneously, but here are a few suggestions\/ideas: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Development Comes Down to Effort <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, this isn\u2019t an exhaustive list and there’s an infinite number of ways to support your child\u2019s sensory and motor development. Generally, this comes down to engaging with your child in meaningful ways and exposing them to new things gradually. Be sure to track progress and celebrate milestones! <\/p>\n\n\n\n