Motor Skills Matter

11/20/2025

Attentive-Incentive Thursday!

11/20/2025

11/19/2025

Side sitting is one of our favorite seated positions and a great milestone!! It’s not only great for little ones but big kids and adults alike

⭐️ It encourages a more upright posture than cross-legged or ring sitting⁣
⭐️ It is an important developmental position for transitions (i.e. for a baby to get from sitting to crawling)
⭐️ It optimizes hip mobility without putting the joint at risk⁣⁣
⭐️ It engages the core and trunk muscles ⁣⁣
⭐️ Facilitates cross-body movements
⭐️ Decreases likelihood of W sitting

Conversely, while in a W-Sit,
⭐️ a child does not achieve appropriate active trunk rotation
⭐️ it restricts developing adequate balance
⭐️ limits weight shifting and turning
⭐️ limits core muscle activation
⭐️ increases risk of hip issues later in life

Is your little one side-sitting yet??

11/13/2025

Infants and toddlers begin exploring cause and effect as early as 2-4 months, and their understanding grows rapidly during their first two years. This critical skill lays the groundwork for problem-solving, decision-making, and creativity later in life!

🧩 What is cause & effect?
It’s when little ones discover that their actions create specific outcomes

For example:
🎶Shaking a rattle → Makes noise (around 4 months)
🚂 Dropping a toy → Parent picks it up (again and again!) 😉 (around 8-12 months)
🔘Pushing a button → Toy lights up or moves (around 12-18 months)

Why it’s important:
1️⃣ Cognitive Development: It teaches the basics of logic, sequence, and predictability.
2️⃣ Motor Skills: Grasping, pressing, or throwing helps develop hand-eye coordination.
3️⃣ Emotional Growth: It boosts confidence as they see their actions influence the world.
4️⃣ Communication: Saying “uh-oh!” or giggling while experimenting strengthens social bonds.

How can you encourage this milestone?
⭐️ Provide interactive toys (like rattles, blocks, or push-and-pop toys).
⭐️ Play games like peekaboo
⭐️ Allow safe opportunities for them to explore actions and their outcomes, even if it gets messy!

Every experiment, big or small, is them learning how they can make things happen. It’s an exciting step in their journey toward understanding the world!

11/12/2025

Around 6-9 months old, you might notice your baby start to clap their hands. This milestone is more than just adorable it’s an important step in their motor and emotional development!

Here’s why clapping matters:
🌟 Improves Coordination: Clapping helps strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
🗣 Supports Communication: Babies often clap to express excitement or mimic others, which fosters early social interaction.
🧠 Boosts Cognitive Skills: Learning to clap requires focus and timing, helping to develop cognitive and motor planning abilities.
💞 Encourages Bonding: Clapping games like “Pat-a-Cake” create moments of shared joy and connection.

To encourage this milestone:
✅ Model clapping while singing or during playtime.
✅ Cheer on their efforts to reinforce their behavior.
✅ Keep practicing fun and engaging clapping games!

Celebrate these little wins, as they mark big leaps in your child’s growth. Are your little ones clapping yet? Share your experience below! 👶✨