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Brain Development

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Brain  development that controls  motor skills begin while still in utero.   After birth motor skills continue to develop at a very rapid pace.  Infants began motor development with the control of their face, neck and also by smiling.  The most critical period of development for babies is between the ages of six to twelve months.  During this time infants learn to sit by themselves, crawl, pull up, and to walk. 

The reason that babies began to have so many new abilities is because of the rapid maturation of the posterior or the back of the frontal lobe of their brain. The brain matures as the areas of the brain that controls motor development is covered in myelin.  Myelin is a fatty substance that helps the neurons of the brain send messages back and forth fast and clearly.  As a result the pathways of the brain, brain stem and spinal cord become better at coordinating and controlling movements.    

In order for a baby to truly develop their motor skills they need plenty of practice.  The more they use their new skills the better they will become at them.  They also need plenty of exercise.  Exercise will help to strengthen their legs, arms and other muscles that are crucial to their development.  As a child care provider there are many things you can do to assist infants during this developmental stage.  For one, encourage them but don't push or force them to do something.  It is important to let them develop at their own pace.  Make sure the environment has safe challenges that encourage movement such as pillows or cushions to climb over or go through.  Play music and let them dance.  For young infants this mean to bounce them softly  to the beat of the music.  As they get a little older you can hold their waist and bounce them allowing them more control of their body.  When they are big enough you can just hold their hands and allow them to control their own movements.  Putting toys inside of boxes and allowing them to crawl inside is another safe and inexpensive idea to help strengthen their motor skills.

When babies reach the twelve month milestone they may be trying or actually  walking.  During the ages of twelve to eighteen months the coordination is usually very off and their movements are very stiff.  As they practice the art of walking and their motor pathways of the brain continue to myelinate their movement will become graceful.  To encourage this age groups  maturation it is important to again encourage but not rush.  Also keep group sizes small so that you can take walks and observe the wonders of the world.  Provide toys which can be pushed or pulled such as baby strollers, shopping carts and wheel barrows.

From the age of eighteen to twenty four month toddlers begin to develop fine motor skills.  They begin to use smaller muscles such as those in the hands, wrist and fingers.  These skills can be encouraged through daily activities such as puzzles, painting on an easel, dressing dolls, playing with play dough and playing with snap blocks.  You should also provide opportunities for them to grasp, pour, scoop and squeeze. A sand and water table is wonderful for this age group.  During mealtime provide eating utensils.  Let them watch you as you write and draw.  Allow them to turn the page as you read a book, thicker paged books are better for this age group.

From the ages of two to three toddlers continue to develop their fine motor and now also their gross motor skills.  They continue to get better at zippering, coloring and using spoons and forks.  They have also begun to develop the coordination used for jumping, skipping, hopping and climbing.

At this time you can just help them strengthen the skills they already have.  Self help task such as pouring their own drinks, putting on shoes and coats and washing hand are very important.  Providing time for them  to use their fine motor skills are crucial to their development.  Provide paint and brushes, finger paints, play dough, crayons, puzzles, strings and beads, musical instruments, and dress up clothes.  Allow time for them to jump, dance, run, hop and skip.
 As caregivers we can do so much to help children develop.  As you may have noticed the one thing in common with all age group is to encourage them and not force them to do something.  Practice is the key to success.  Provide new and different opportunities for them to practice their new skills.  Make sure the environment is appropriate for their developmental stage.  Be their coach and example.

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Ron Burch Reviewed this free essay on Sep:18:2008

This is a really good essay. You rock...

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