Sensory Motor Skills in Children: What Are They, Why Are They Important, & How Can They Be Improved?
Children learn and develop quickly as toddlers. Sensory motor skills are what allow children to explore the world around them and learn new things. Issues in sensory motor skills development can limit a child's learning, such as being able to write. These issues should be addressed early in life, with the help of healthcare professionals.
This article will explain what sensory motor skills are, why they are important, and some of the ways that parents can help children develop sensory motor skills during their toddler years.
What are sensory motor skills?
Sensory skills include vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and balance. Children are not born with fully developed sensory skills and need to experience new sights, sounds, scents, flavors, and textures to develop these skills.
Motor skills are the physical abilities that allow coordinated movement. Motor skills are usually split into two categories:
Gross motor skills involve moving large muscles, like the ones in the arms, legs, back, and chest. Gross motor skills are important for sitting upright, crawling, walking, and running. They can also be seen when children push, kick, climb, and roll over during play.
Fine motor skills involve moving small muscles, like the ones in the hands and feet. Fine motor skills are important for grabbing and holding on to smaller objects, setting objects down gently and in the correct place, and drawing.
Sensory motor skills are more complex combinations of sensory skills and motor skills. During each "sensory motor skill," the brain uses sensory input to collect information from the world around it, makes sense of that input, and then uses its motor skills to respond.
Some examples of sensory motor skills include:
Coordination and balance
Understanding where one's body parts are in space
Sitting still or maintaining a specific posture
Being able to track moving objects with one’s eyes
Being able to plan how something should be completed
Why are sensory motor skills important?
Sensory motor skills are the foundation of all learning that will take place throughout life. These skills allow children to explore, play, and try more challenging things.
If one sensory motor skill fails to develop properly, a child can struggle to continue learning at the same speed as other children their age. For example:
A child who struggles with balance or their ability to plan the order of tasks may also struggle to develop problem-solving skills.
A child who struggles with understanding where their body parts are in space may also struggle with learning to write.
The toddler years are a critical time when sensory motor skills should be developing—toddlers should be combining sensory input and motor output to interact with the world around them. If there are delays, this is the best time to work with professionals and get back on track for lifelong learning.
How do I know that my child's sensory motor skills are developing properly?
Most children’s sensory motor skills develop naturally through exposure to new environments, people, and activities. However, some children develop more slowly in certain areas.
Depending on which skills are affected, the signs of delayed sensory motor development can differ. Watch for:
Coordination or movement delays:
Difficulty holding themselves or sitting upright
Not being interested in crawling or moving around
Difficulty holding smaller toys
Clumsiness handling objects
Lack of spatial awareness:
Difficulty bringing food to their mouth gently
Trouble placing items like a cup in a cup holder
Eye tracking issues:
Difficulty following a ball in the air
Trouble watching a pet or falling leaves
Other developmental clues:
Slower language development
Difficulty retelling events
Trouble forming sounds or words
If you're concerned, regular check-ups with a healthcare professional can help assess and monitor your child’s development.
What can I do if my child is diagnosed with a sensory motor disorder or has delayed sensory motor development?
As a parent, some of the best ways to support your toddler include:
Learning about the specific challenges your child faces
Understanding and practicing sensory motor activities at home
Setting aside time to do these activities with your child
Scheduling regular follow-ups with healthcare professionals
Keeping a simple planner or diary to track progress and activities
What are sensory motor activities that can be done at home?
Many everyday play activities support sensory motor development. These include:
Drawing or coloring with crayons or colored pencils
Cutting simple shapes from paper or play-dough with safety scissors
Playing with balls of various shapes and sizes
Painting with brushes or sponges
Climbing and sliding
Swinging
Solving simple puzzles
How can occupational therapists help my child develop sensory motor skills?
Occupational therapists (OTs) are trained to support your child’s development through personalized, targeted strategies. They can:
Recommend sensory motor activities specific to your child’s needs
Coach you on how to support your child at home and in daily routines
Coordinate with schools or daycares to adapt learning environments
Provide new challenges during follow-ups to keep development on track
Benefits of OT support include:
Improved coordination and balance
Increased social confidence through body awareness
Better fine motor control
Enhanced motor planning
If you’re concerned about sensory motor delays, a referral to an OT may be an important next step.
Kinspire Can Help
At Kinspire, we support parents every day as they help their child grow and thrive. Our licensed occupational therapists work hand-in-hand with families to design personalized routines and sensory motor activities you can use at home—without needing to wait months for services.
We make developmental therapy accessible, affordable, and do-able for families just like yours.