“My child is so slow in the morning. He just stands there holding his socks.”
“She can’t figure out how to start zipping her jacket — every time I have to help her.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Some children struggle with everyday actions like dressing, using cutlery, writing, or organising their body to move smoothly. They’re not lazy or slow learners — they may have motor planning difficulties, a condition also known as dyspraxia.
🧠 What Is Motor Planning?
Motor planning (or praxis) is the ability to plan, sequence, and carry out new or complex movements. It involves:
- Understanding what the task is
- Knowing what the body needs to do
- Sequencing the steps
- Adjusting movements based on feedback
For example: Putting on socks = sit, lift foot, orient sock, slide it over toes, pull up heel, adjust position — all these steps require planning and body awareness.
Children with motor planning difficulties often know what they want to do, but struggle to organise their body to do it smoothly or consistently.
🧩 What Does It Look Like?
- Needs help with dressing even at age 5+
- Takes a long time to start or complete motor tasks
- Avoids playground equipment or new activities
- Clumsy, bumping into things
- Messy handwriting despite trying hard
- Trouble copying actions (e.g., Simon Says)
- Difficulty learning new skills (e.g., bike riding, tying shoelaces)
They may also show frustration, avoid tasks, or rely on adults to do things for them — not because they’re unwilling, but because they feel overwhelmed by multi-step movements.
📚 What the Research Says
A study published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (Wilson et al., 2013) found that motor planning challenges are highly linked to functional daily life difficulties, including self-care, classroom tasks, and participation in sports.
The study also noted that early occupational therapy support significantly improved outcomes, especially when intervention focused on:
- Task breakdown
- Movement repetition with guided support
- Environmental structuring
🧠 Real-Life Quote from an OT:
“Sometimes parents think their child is just being slow, shy, or stubborn. But when I observe how they try to do things — like pick up a pencil or open a lunchbox — I can see it’s not about attitude. Their brain is working hard to tell their body what to do.”
🧰 What Can Parents Do?
- Break tasks into smaller steps
“Let’s put your arm in first, then I’ll help with the zipper.” - Use visual or photo schedules
A simple morning routine chart can reduce overwhelm. - Avoid rushing or shaming
Give extra time and acknowledge effort: “You did the first part by yourself!” - Repetition helps the brain learn
Practise skills like opening containers, using buttons, or shoe-tying in low-pressure settings. - Consult an occupational therapist
An OT can assess your child’s motor planning and offer individualised strategies.
✅ Final Thought
Every child deserves the chance to be independent — at their own pace, with the right support.
If your child is struggling with daily movements and it’s affecting their confidence, OT support might help them build skills and feel more capable.
📞 Concerned about your child’s motor skills or coordination?
SPOT Allied Health offers mobile OT services across Sydney. Ask us about our motor planning assessments today.
📖Ref:
Wilson, P. H., Ruddock, S., Smits-Engelsman, B., Polatajko, H., & Blank, R. (2013). Cognitive approaches to motor control in children: Implications for intervention. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 55(5), 402–407. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12047
