Why Motor Skills Matter Improve Your Child's Physical Development to Enhance Learning and Self-Esteem

Learn to use physical activity to raise an emotionally well-balanced, more coordinated, and happier child "Parents and educators may underestimate the value of motor development during childhood. This book does much to fill a wide gap in understanding its relevance. Supplied with the practical content of these pages, parents can assist their children to savor an important form of mastery and gratification."--Mel Levine, author of A Mind at a Time"Finally . . . a book for parents that demystifies motor development. Why Motor Skills Matter provides a game plan as to how parents can help their little ones develop optimal potential via play, stimulation, and establishment of an appropriate environment."--Ruth Peters, Ph.D., bestselling author of Laying Down the Law: The 25 Laws of ParentingIs your child a loner because he won't play with other children on the playground--or does he hang back because he lacks the strength or balance to master the monkey bars? Is your baby lazy because she won't roll over--or does she simply have weak stomach muscles? Minor developmental lags can lead to a misreading of your child's abilities as well as behavior. But not if you know what to look for and how to help your child.According to leading pediatric physical therapist Tara Losquandro-Liddle, playful interaction beginning in infancy is crucial to a child's cognitive skills, language, speech, and overall emotional balance. Filled with practical, age-appropriate activities for children from newborns up to five-year-olds, Why Motor Skills Matter helps you to:Integrate touch, movement, and body awareness during playtimeEnsure that your child progresses through the proper developmental sequenceLearn what actions to take if milestones are missedDetermine if your child has sensory integration difficulties or disordersAvoid common developmental mistakes, such as using exersaucers, having your child wear hard-soled shoes, promoting early walkingRaise a secure child in every wayLiddle, Tara Losquadro is the author of 'Why Motor Skills Matter Improve Your Child's Physical Development to Enhance Learning and Self-Esteem', published 2003 under ISBN 9780071408189 and ISBN 0071408185.