How to Help a Child Understand Motor Behavior
Motor behavior is the movement of muscles. It is responsible for accomplishing tasks such as holding a pencil and riding a bike. Motor behavior occurs when the brain sends a signal to the muscles to move. Children often do not realize that they are not only using their muscles but also their brain when they are performing tasks. It is important for children to understand motor behavior so they can learn how to use and control movements.
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Instructions
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Have the child stand in a space where he has enough room to move around freely without bumping into furniture or other objects.
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Act out movements to a song with the child. The song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" is a good choice because of the amount of motor behavior she'll use to perform the movements of the song.
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Ask the child what body parts he used to complete the song's movements.
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Explain to the child that these movements and any other muscle movements the body makes are called motor behavior.
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Tell the child that her brain is involved in motor behavior. Talk about how she has to think about the movement, even if it is for only a second, to get her muscles to move.
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Hand out index cards and have the child write down an activity that will demonstrate motor behavior.
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Pick an index card and perform the movement on the card. Ask the child to name every part of the body you are using to complete the movement. Make sure that he knows that the brain is always involved.
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Check for understanding by asking the child to explain motor behavior in her own words.
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Tips & Warnings
After you complete all of the activities on the index cards, switch places with the child and have him perform the movements if he is having a difficult time understanding what motor behavior is.
Make sure that the child is physically able to complete all the movements. If she is not, she may be injured while attempting them.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit child playing image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com
