Motor Movements

Reviewed:

This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse and other sources. Contact us via online form or by phone (1-877-275-3227) to request a resource listed below (or ask your local public librarian). Note that some videos may be viewed online, and journal titles will take you to the publisher’s homepage.

child crawling to ball

Books

99 Fine Motor Ideas for Ages 1 to 5
Nicollete Roux
N. Roux, 2014
Written by a group of mothers, this book provides a family friendly set of fine motor activities that can be performed within homes without much preparation. Simple variations and tips are also included to make the activities even more practical and accessible for children.
Call#: WE 103 .F4934m 2014

Amazing Babies Moving
Beverly Stokes
Move Alive Media, 2009
Described as, “the book every parent needs”, Certified Movement Specialist Beverly Stokes guides readers through the meaningful movements of infancy while providing photographic simulations for adults to create a better understanding of what these positions and growing milestones are.
Call#: WS 103 .S76am 2009

Basics of fine motor skills : developmental activities for kids
Heather Gruetman
Growing Hands-on Kids, 2017
In this book, readers will learn all of the basics of fine motor development and get age appropriate fine motor activity suggestions for kids of all ages, including which skills are important for fine motor development, plus what fine motor development looks like in children at all age levels.
Call#: BF 723 .M6 G868 2017

Developing motor and social skills : activities for children with autism spectrum disorder
Christopher Denning
Rowman & Littlefield, 2017
This book focuses on motor and social skills development for young children with autism spectrum disorder.
Only available as an eBook 

Early Detection and Early Intervention in Developmental Motor Disorders
Mijna Hadders-Algra
Mac Keith Press, 2021
This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of assessments and interventions applied in young children with, or at high risk for, developmental motor disorders.
Only available as an eBook 

Encouraging Physical Activity in Infants
Steve Sanders
Gryphon House, 2015
Early motor development creates the foundation that children need to grow and flourish. Beginning with the developmental motor milestones of early infancy, this book provides an informative description of what parents and child care providers should expect from children.
Call#:  GV 443 .S194inf 2015
Also available as an eBook 

Helping Children to Improve Their Gross Motor Skills
Rachel White
Jessica Kingsley, 2017
This book provides detailed descriptions of how gross motor tasks can be accomplished through incremental stages, culminating in the achievement of the specific task.
Call#: GV 443 .W5821 2017
Also available as an eBook 

Intervention for toddlers with gross and fine motor delays : practical strategies
Prathibha Karanth
Plural Publishing, 2017
This manual addresses gross and fine motor skills, and activities of daily living for toddlers between the ages of 0-3 years old.
Call#: WS 340 .K1439gfm 2017

Videos

Baby Tata
41 min; DVD
Baby Tata, 2004
Teaches parents techniques for interactive play, exercise, and massage to do with babies based on massage therapy, karaoke singalongs, games, and exercise routines.
Call#: WB 537 .B115s 2004

Yoga for Children With Developmental Challenges
71 min; DVD
Peaceful Pathways, 2011
Registered yoga teacher and special education teacher Mary Flynn presents a five-part educational video designed to introduce the benefits of yoga to children with developmental challenges, including autism.
Call#: WB 890 .F6791 2011

Organizations

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Professional association for occupational therapists. Multiple resources for professionals.
301-652-6611
4720 Montgomery Ln Ste 200
Bethesda, MD 20814-3449

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Professional association for physical therapist. Multiple resources for professionals.
703-684-2782 or 800-999-2782
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488

Articles

The Magical Effects of Music on Infants
Shake It Baby!
Reyna Lindert. (2012)
The article focuses on tackling the effects of music on infants. It can be witnessed in form of lullabies which puts them to sleep. Tunes can be incorporated in routine playtime, lunchtime and bedtime. It can be combined with massaging or stroking to calm them. Children’s gross motor skills can be improved by dancing and playing to music. It also strengthens their fine motor skills like coordination and dexterity.

Young Exceptional Children, 10(2) p11-16.
Adapting Physical Activities to Promote Overall Health and Development: Suggestions for Interventionists and Families
Kristi Sayers Menear and Laura Davis. (2007)
In this scholarly article, the authors provide a list of activity suggestions that can be used by early educators and families to promote early learning goals for young children.

Web Resources

Assistive Technology at Home: Easy Adaptations for Daily Living (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.

Encouraging Development in Everyday Spaces (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.

A Moving Child Is a Learning Child (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.

Parenting Can Be Child’s Play (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music and Movement (IEL)
This tip sheet provides ideas for movement activities that young children can do with their families. Also available in Spanish, Polish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, and French.

Illinois Early Learning Guidelines: Fine Motor development
Article describes the expected fine motor development for children birth to thirty-six months including indicators of success and strategies for developing skills.  Also in Spanish.

Illinois Early Learning Guidelines: Gross Motor development
Article describes the expected gross motor development for children birth to thirty-six months including indicators of success and strategies for developing skills.  Also available in Spanish.