What are the general trends of motor development in a child 4 – 10 years?

4  – 5 years

• norms of the 4 year old can vary widely therefore interpret with caution
• weight shift and trunk rotation is still developing
• total flexion and extension patterns are still evident
• movement patterns are only briefly sustained
• a wide base of support is still evident
• they are able to integrate either upper or lower limbs symmetrically,however not both upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• children are heavily reliant on input from all the sensory systems

5 – 6 years

• Weight shift is used actively
• The abdominal become more active and the lordosis is less evident
• Trunk rotation and midline crossing is more apparent
• As the demands of a task increase, there is a tendency to revert back to mass patterns of flexion and extension.  While moving forwards they feed into a flexion pattern and when moving backwards feed into an extension pattern
• Balance has improved remarkably from 4 years, but they still need to fix distally with hands, feet and mouth
• Balance has improved remarkably from 4 years, but
• they still need to fix distally with hands, feet and mouth
• Upper and lower limbs are integrated in symmetrical patterns.

6 -7 years

• The ability to sustain movement patterns is established over this period
• Movements are becoming smoother and more rhythmical while grading is still developing
• Central stability is maturing
• Occasional fixing is still observed
• Balance reactions are more efficient

7 – 8 years

• Little overflow of movement into the extremities is observed
• Movements are well dissociated
• Boys become less familiar with some skills such as gallop and skipping
• Movements are more rhythmical and grading is more controlled
• Exposure to specialized activities such as gymnastics or ballet, may affect the way in which the child performs

8 – 9 years

• Controlled grading, stability and balance resulting in well integrated movement patterns
• Dissociation has improved remarkably and child more stable
• Gender differences more obvious
• More relaxed and moves with ease
• Skills acquired at previous age bands can be lost and regained, as they are not practiced in play

9 – 10 years

• Growth spurt during this period affects body image and may influence previously skilled motor patterns
• Generally fast movers
• Gender differences continue to be evident