When it comes to motor development, there are two types of skills that children can acquire: open skills and closed skills. Open skills are those that allow for a wide range of movements and can be used in various situations, while closed skills are more specific and limited in their use. In this article, we will explore the differences between open and closed skills and how they impact motor development. By understanding these concepts, parents and educators can better support children in developing their motor skills and reaching their full potential. So, let’s dive in and discover the fascinating world of open and closed skills!

What are Open Skills?

Definition and Examples

Definition of Open Skills

Open skills refer to motor abilities that involve a high degree of complexity and variability in movement patterns. These skills require a great deal of creativity and imagination, as they allow for a wide range of possibilities in terms of how they can be executed.

Examples of Open Skills

Some examples of open skills include:

• Drawing: This involves the use of a variety of strokes and lines to create a picture or design.
• Dancing: This involves the use of various movements and techniques to express rhythm, emotion, and storytelling.
• Sports: Many sports, such as basketball, soccer, and tennis, require a high degree of creativity and improvisation, as players must adapt to changing situations and opponents.
• Music: Playing a musical instrument or singing requires a great deal of creativity and expression, as musicians must interpret and express the music in their own unique way.

These are just a few examples of open skills, but there are many others, such as painting, writing, and cooking, that also require a high degree of creativity and imagination.

Importance of Open Skills

Open skills refer to movements that involve the entire body or multiple body parts working together in a coordinated manner. These skills are crucial for overall motor development as they allow individuals to perform activities of daily living, participate in sports and leisure activities, and maintain good posture and balance.

Here are some of the benefits of developing open skills:

• Improved Coordination: Open skills require the coordination of multiple body parts, which helps to improve overall body awareness and coordination. This is essential for performing activities of daily living, such as walking, climbing stairs, and carrying objects.
• Better Balance: Open skills, such as running and jumping, require good balance and stability. Developing these skills can help individuals maintain good posture and balance, which is important for preventing falls and injuries.
• Enhanced Physical Fitness: Open skills, such as walking, running, and swimming, are essential for maintaining physical fitness. These skills improve cardiovascular health, build strength and endurance, and improve overall body function.
• Increased Confidence: Developing open skills can boost an individual’s confidence and self-esteem. The ability to perform activities of daily living and participate in sports and leisure activities can enhance an individual’s sense of independence and self-worth.

In conclusion, open skills are essential for overall motor development and have numerous benefits for an individual’s physical and emotional well-being. Developing these skills can improve coordination, balance, physical fitness, and confidence, and enable individuals to participate fully in the activities they enjoy.

What are Closed Skills?

Definition

Closed skills refer to motor skills that involve a specific path or pattern of movement, and have a distinct beginning and end. These skills are typically performed in a specific context and have a specific function. Examples of closed skills include catching a ball, typing on a keyboard, and tying shoelaces.

Examples

Here are some examples of closed skills:

• Catching a ball: The movement involves a specific path and requires the individual to predict the trajectory of the ball.
• Typing on a keyboard: The movement involves specific finger movements to press specific keys in a specific order.
• Tying shoelaces: The movement involves a specific pattern of loops and knots to secure the laces.
• Throwing a dart: The movement involves a specific path and force to throw the dart at a target.
• Swinging a bat: The movement involves a specific path and force to hit a ball.
• Playing a musical instrument: The movement involves specific finger movements to press specific keys or strings in a specific order to produce a specific sound.

Importance of Closed Skills

Closed skills are motor skills that involve a specific body part or a limited number of body parts. These skills are characterized by a predictable and controlled outcome, which makes them relatively easy to learn and perfect. Examples of closed skills include catching a ball, pedaling a bike, and using utensils.

While open skills are essential for overall motor development, closed skills are equally important. Here are some reasons why:

• Building Confidence: Mastering closed skills helps children build confidence in their ability to control their bodies. As they learn to perform specific movements, they gain a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance, which can boost their overall self-esteem.
• Fostering Creativity: Closed skills can be combined in creative ways to develop new movements and actions. For example, a child who has mastered the skill of pedaling a bike can experiment with different ways of steering, balancing, or braking, leading to new discoveries and self-expression.
• Developing Fine Motor Skills: Closed skills are essential for developing fine motor skills, which are crucial for everyday activities such as writing, buttoning clothes, and using tools. Fine motor skills require precise movements of small muscles, and developing these skills can help children perform tasks more efficiently and effectively.
• Improving Coordination: Closed skills require precise coordination between different body parts, which can improve overall body awareness and control. As children practice closed skills, they learn to coordinate their movements, which can help them in other areas of motor development, such as balance and gait.
• Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills: Closed skills can help children develop problem-solving skills as they experiment with different movements and techniques to achieve a specific outcome. This process can foster creativity, critical thinking, and persistence, which are valuable skills in all areas of life.

In summary, closed skills are essential for motor development, providing children with a foundation for building confidence, fostering creativity, developing fine motor skills, improving coordination, and enhancing problem-solving skills. By incorporating closed skills into physical activity programs and play, children can develop a well-rounded set of motor skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

The Relationship Between Open and Closed Skills

How open and closed skills work together

Open and closed skills are two categories of motor skills that are essential for the development of motor abilities in children. These skills work together in a complementary manner, and the development of one type of skill can contribute to the development of the other.

The interplay between open and closed skills can be observed in the way children learn to use their arms and legs. For example, children first learn to sit up, which is a closed skill, before they can learn to crawl, which is an open skill. Once they have mastered crawling, they can then learn to walk, which is another closed skill. This sequence of development shows how closed skills provide a foundation for the development of open skills.

It is important to develop both types of skills, as they are crucial for different aspects of motor development. Closed skills are essential for maintaining posture and balance, while open skills are necessary for the exploration of the environment and the development of coordination and dexterity. A child who has developed strong closed skills can use them to support the development of open skills, while a child who has developed strong open skills can use them to refine their closed skills.

In summary, open and closed skills work together in a complementary manner, with closed skills providing a foundation for the development of open skills and vice versa. Developing both types of skills is essential for the development of motor abilities in children.

The importance of progression

When it comes to motor development, progression is key. This means that children should gradually move from simpler skills to more complex ones. This allows them to build on what they have learned and to develop their coordination and control.

There are several reasons why progression is important in motor development. Firstly, it helps children to develop a sense of mastery over their movements. When they are able to perform a skill, they feel a sense of accomplishment and are more likely to continue practicing and improving.

Secondly, progression helps children to develop a sense of control over their movements. When they are able to perform a skill, they are better able to predict what will happen when they move in a certain way. This helps them to refine their movements and to make smaller, more precise movements.

Finally, progression helps children to develop their coordination and balance. When they are able to perform a skill, they are better able to control their movements and to balance their body. This helps them to develop the coordination and balance needed for more complex skills.

Overall, progression is a crucial aspect of motor development. It allows children to build on what they have learned, to develop a sense of mastery and control, and to refine their movements. By gradually moving from simpler to more complex skills, children are able to develop the coordination and balance needed to excel in a wide range of physical activities.

Motor Development Milestones

When open and closed skills typically develop

Overview of typical motor development milestones

The development of motor skills can be divided into different stages, which are influenced by various factors such as genetics, environment, and individual differences. The following is an overview of typical motor development milestones:

• Newborns: reflexive movements, such as grasping and sucking
• Infants: lifting the head while on the stomach, rolling over, crawling, and standing with support
• Toddlers: walking independently, running, and climbing
• Preschoolers: hopping, skipping, and jumping
• School-age children: fine motor skills, such as drawing and writing, and gross motor skills, such as catching and throwing a ball

Explanation of when open and closed skills typically develop

Open skills are motor skills that involve the movement of one or more limbs in space, such as reaching, throwing, and catching. These skills typically develop during the preschool years and continue to develop during the school-age years. Open skills require the coordination of several movements and the use of visual and spatial awareness.

Closed skills, on the other hand, are motor skills that involve the movement of the whole body or parts of the body in a more constrained way, such as sitting, standing, and walking. These skills typically develop in a predictable sequence during the first few years of life, starting with lifting the head while on the stomach and ending with walking independently. Closed skills are important for daily functioning and are typically mastered before open skills.

Variations in motor development

Explanation of individual differences in motor development

Motor development is a complex process that varies from one individual to another. Research has shown that various factors, such as genetics, environmental factors, and personal experiences, can impact an individual’s motor development.

Genetics play a significant role in determining an individual’s motor development. For instance, some children may be born with innate motor skills, while others may not. Genetic factors can also influence an individual’s muscle tone, strength, and coordination, which can impact their motor development.

Environmental factors, such as access to opportunities for physical activity, can also impact an individual’s motor development. Children who grow up in environments that provide ample opportunities for physical activity, such as sports teams or playgrounds, may develop motor skills more quickly than those who do not have access to such opportunities.

Personal experiences, such as illness or injury, can also impact an individual’s motor development. For example, a child who has experienced a significant injury may have difficulty developing certain motor skills, such as running or jumping.

Factors that can impact motor development

Several factors can impact an individual’s motor development, including:

• Genetics: Genetic factors can influence an individual’s muscle tone, strength, and coordination, which can impact their motor development.
• Environmental factors: Access to opportunities for physical activity, such as sports teams or playgrounds, can impact an individual’s motor development.
• Personal experiences: Illness or injury can impact an individual’s motor development.
• Cultural factors: Cultural norms and beliefs can impact an individual’s motor development, such as gender roles and expectations.
• Socioeconomic factors: Socioeconomic factors, such as access to resources and healthcare, can impact an individual’s motor development.

Overall, understanding the variations in motor development is crucial for designing effective interventions and programs to support individuals in developing motor skills.

Supporting Motor Development

Tips for parents and caregivers

As a parent or caregiver, supporting motor development in children is essential for their overall growth and development. Here are some tips to help you support motor development in children:

1. Encourage physical activity: Encourage children to engage in physical activities such as walking, running, climbing, and playing games. This helps develop their muscles, coordination, and balance.
2. Provide opportunities for play and exploration: Children learn through play, so provide them with opportunities to explore their environment. This includes providing them with toys, books, and other materials that encourage imaginative play.
3. Promote a healthy diet: A healthy diet is essential for overall health and development. Make sure your child is eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
4. Encourage movement milestones: Keep track of your child’s movement milestones and encourage them to reach them. This includes crawling, walking, and running.
5. Seek professional help if needed: If you notice any delays in your child’s motor development, seek professional help from a pediatrician or therapist. They can help you develop a plan to support your child’s development.

By following these tips, you can help support your child’s motor development and encourage them to reach their full potential.

Role of physical activity

Physical activity plays a crucial role in supporting motor development in children. It provides an opportunity for children to practice and refine their motor skills, build strength and coordination, and develop a sense of physical confidence and competence.

Physical activity can take many forms, from free play and structured sports to more focused activities like yoga or dance. The key is to provide children with a variety of experiences that challenge them at their current skill level while also allowing them to progress and improve over time.

In terms of specific recommendations, it is important to encourage children to engage in activities that develop both open and closed skills. For example, team sports like soccer or basketball can help develop coordination, balance, and teamwork, while individual sports like gymnastics or swimming can help develop strength, flexibility, and body awareness.

In addition to organized sports, other forms of physical activity can also support motor development. Playing in nature, climbing, and engaging in creative movement activities like dance or theater can all help children develop their motor skills and physical abilities.

It is also important to note that physical activity should be age-appropriate and fun for children. When children enjoy physical activity, they are more likely to continue participating and developing their skills over time.

Recap of key points

• Open skills are skills that require a specific starting point and a predetermined path to reach the end goal. They are characterized by a clear beginning and end, and often involve the use of tools or equipment. Examples of open skills include throwing and catching a ball, hitting a target with a golf club, and riding a bike.
• Closed skills are skills that can be performed in any order and do not have a predetermined path. They are characterized by a lack of a specific starting or ending point, and often involve the use of the body in space. Examples of closed skills include crawling, walking, and running.
• Both open and closed skills are important for motor development, as they each contribute to different aspects of physical ability. Open skills tend to develop hand-eye coordination and the use of tools, while closed skills tend to develop balance, spatial awareness, and overall body control.
• To support motor development in children, it is important to provide a variety of activities that challenge their open and closed skills. This can include activities such as playing catch, riding bikes, and participating in dance or gymnastics classes. It is also important to encourage children to try new things and to provide positive feedback and support as they develop their skills.

FAQs

1. What are open skills and closed skills in motor development?

Open skills and closed skills are terms used to describe different types of motor skills. Open skills are skills that involve a large range of motion and require more precision and control, such as throwing a ball or hitting a target. Closed skills, on the other hand, involve a smaller range of motion and are often more repetitive, such as tying a shoelace or buttoning a button.

2. What are some examples of open skills?

Some examples of open skills include throwing a ball, hitting a target with a projectile, catching a ball, kicking a ball, and hitting a golf ball with a golf club. These skills require a high degree of precision and control and involve a large range of motion.

3. What are some examples of closed skills?

Some examples of closed skills include tying a shoelace, buttoning a button, typing on a keyboard, using utensils such as a fork or spoon, and manipulating small objects such as puzzle pieces. These skills involve a smaller range of motion and are often more repetitive.

4. Are open skills more important than closed skills in motor development?

No, open skills and closed skills are both important in motor development. While open skills may be more visible or glamorous, closed skills are just as important for everyday functioning and independence. Both types of skills work together to support overall motor development and should be addressed in a comprehensive approach to motor skill development.

5. How can I help my child develop both open and closed skills?

There are many ways to help your child develop both open and closed skills. Encouraging your child to participate in a variety of activities that require different types of motor skills, such as sports, arts and crafts, and puzzles, can help build both open and closed skills. Practicing these skills regularly and providing opportunities for your child to use and refine these skills in real-life situations can also help support motor development. Additionally, working with a physical therapist or occupational therapist can provide targeted interventions and strategies to support the development of specific motor skills.

LRI – Open v Closed Skills