Learning New Motor Patterns with Occupational Therapy
In this post, I’ll explore what motor patterns are, why some children and adults struggle with them, and how occupational therapy helps. Plus, I’ll share practical tips for parents to support their child’s or loved one’s motor development at home. First, let’s start with definitions.
What are motor patterns? - Motor patterns are sequences of movements that our brain and body work together to perform.
They can come in multiple forms like:
Gross motor movements (large movements like jumping, running, and climbing)
Fine motor movements (small, precise movements like writing, buttoning a shirt, or using utensils)
Bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body together, such as cutting with scissors, or holding an item with two hands at the same time)
Motor planning (praxis) (the ability to think about, plan, and execute a movement sequence)
Once we learn a motor pattern, our brain stores it like a habit (or what people call “muscle memory”), making it easier to repeat the movement without thinking about each step. But for children and adults with motor difficulties, these patterns don’t develop as smoothly, making activities that seem simple for others feel challenging.
Who struggles with motor learning and learning new patterns? – Well, a variety of people and populations can but below are just some examples. Those with:
Developmental Delays: Some children take longer to build foundational motor skills, affecting coordination and movement sequences.
Sensory Processing: If a child has difficulty interpreting sensory input (e.g., body position, touch, or balance), it can impact their ability to plan and execute movements.
Dyspraxia (Motor Planning Difficulties): Children with dyspraxia struggle to plan and carry out new motor tasks efficiently.
Muscle Weakness or Low Tone: If a child lacks strength or stability, they may find it harder to develop smooth, controlled movement patterns. They can appear “floppy”.
And more! There are many diagnoses that can have trouble with motor planning and learning beyond this simple list.
How Occupational Therapy Helps Develop New Motor Patterns - Occupational therapists (OTs) use targeted interventions to help children and adults develop and refine motor patterns. Here’s how we do it:
Breaking Down Movements into Small Steps
OTs help children and adults learn complex movements by breaking them into simpler, manageable steps. For example, if someone struggles to learn how to tie their shoes, the therapist might first work on finger dexterity (control and smoothness of movements with the hands), then practice looping the laces separately before combining the full movement sequence.
Using Repetition and Practice
New motor patterns require good consistent practice to become automatic or habitual. OTs use engaging activities, such as obstacle courses, crafts, and play-based exercises, to encourage repetition in a fun and engaging way.
3. Providing Sensory Input for Better Body Awareness
Some people need extra sensory feedback to understand how their body moves in space. OTs may use weighted vests, resistance bands, or textured surfaces to help people feel their movements more clearly.
4. Incorporating Bilateral Coordination Activities
Many motor tasks require both sides of the body to work together. Activities like catching a ball, using a scooter board, cutting and prepping food for a meal, showering, or climbing ladders help improve coordination and balance.
5. Using Multi-Sensory Cues
Using clear instructions: Making cues simple and easy to understand, short and concise.
Demonstration: Showing a movement before the person tries it.
Verbal prompts: Giving step-by-step instructions.
Visual schedules: Using pictures or videos to outline the task.
Tactile prompts: Tapping or touching the specific muscles to help tell the person to activate them and help locate them
6. Encouraging Problem-Solving and Adaptability
Some people struggle with adjusting to changes in movement patterns. OTs use activities that challenge flexibility and adaptability, such as navigating obstacle courses with varying challenges or adjusting grip strength when using different-sized objects or cooking multiple different recipes in the kitchen requiring practice with multiple types of utensils.
How Parents Can Help at Home - As a parent or caregiver, you play a key role in reinforcing motor learning outside of therapy. Here are some practical ways to support your loved one’s motor development:
Use Every day Routines as Learning Opportunities
Encourage your child or adult loved one to help with dressing, pouring drinks, or buttoning clothes.
Make movement-based games part of daily life (you’re never too old to play), like hopping to the dinner table or doing a "balance beam walk" on a sidewalk curb.
2. Offer Repetitive and Play-Based Practice
Create fun challenges like animal walks (bear crawl, crab walk) to strengthen coordination.
Use puzzles, Legos, or play dough to improve fine motor control.
Let your child climb playground structures or set up mini-obstacle courses at home.
Try out new recipes in the kitchen and encourage you loved one to help.
Encourage you loved one to exercise or repeat exercises throughout the day.
3. Provide Sensory Feedback
Have your loved one practice movements on different surfaces, like standing on a soft pillow for balance training.
Use textured balls or resistance bands to enhance grip strength.
4. Break Down Tasks and Use Step-by-Step Instructions
If your loved struggles with a skill (e.g., tying shoes), practice each step separately before putting it all together. You do the first 3 steps they do the last 2 OR they start and you assist for finishing the task.
Use visual aids like pictures or video demonstrations.
5. Be Patient and Celebrate Small Wins
Learning new motor patterns takes time! Offer encouragement, praise progress, and make activities enjoyable rather than stressful.
Until next time! – Holly Ross OTR/L, WSI/T, LTP, ATRIC
