The Importance of Locomotor Skills

Locomotor skills include walking, running, skipping, hopping, galloping, leaping, jumping and sliding and they are the foundation of human movement. From basic human development we understand that generally, children are ready to practice walking at around 12 months, they can start running/hopping/jumping at 24 months and galloping/sliding/skipping at 36 months. As the building blocks of coordination, it’s very important the you practice locomotor skills with your child.

Play is a great way to provide opportunity for practice of these critical skills and these skills should come naturally to most children. The key to teaching locomotor skills is proper modeling and repeated guided practice.

Here are a few tips on what to look for and how to reinforce the proper development of locomotor skill:

· Walking: look for smooth, straight steps with arms swinging gently in opposition of feet.
· Galloping: one foot leading and the other foot following behind.
· Jumping: feet should be close together, pushing off with both feet and landing on toes. This is a good time to try
jumping rope.
· Hopping: with one foot on the ground, push with the toes. Landing should be fairly quiet.
· Side-sliding: move sideways with one foot leading (a sideways gallop).
· Leaping: go over an object leading with one foot and land on two feet.
· Skipping: march with knees high; each time the knee is in the air, hop on the other foot - step/hop, step/hop, step/hop

Locomotor skills can be mastered by most children with some simple guidance. In some cases the skills are leaned by following the lead of older siblings. But a little direction from you can be a big help and as your child masters the different locomotor skills you will see them gain more confidence.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development, please contact your pediatrician.

Sources:
www.familyfitness.about.com
www.greatschools.org