Promoting Lifelong Wellbeing by Fostering Motor Skill Development in Children of all Abilities

To celebrate Cindy Miles and her message that pediatric physical therapists are lifespan movement specialist enabling lifelong participation for ALL abilities, this session will address fundamental motor skill acquisition and its impact on lifelong wellness. Fundamental motor skills don’t magically appear, rather, they need to be taught and practiced. Clarke proposed the concept of Mountain of motor development to highlight immense changes that occur in movement and mobility throughout life span of individuals. Utilizing Dynamic systems approach, evidence-based research and clinical experience, this session will describe the development of specific locomotor, ballistic, and manipulate motor skills in young children (including children with motor delays) and their importance to health and fitness. Children who feel competent in their motor skills are more likely to grow into adults who will maintain fitness routine to promote healthy lifestyle. Conversely, children who don’t enjoy motor activities and don’t feel competent are more likely to be sedentary children who grow up into sedentary adults. Our adaptive sports academy programs offered to our patients will be used to illustrate opportunities that therapist and medical centers can offer children with disabilities to foster finding a sport/ activity they may enjoy throughout their lifespan.