Praxis (Motor Planning)
What is it? “The ability to conceptualize, plan, and execute a non-habitual motor act” (Case-Smith & O’Brien, 2015, p. 272).
Why is it important? The ability to motor plan allows for safe navigation through the environment. Praxis is a skill necessary in occupations throughout the lifetime, such as:
- Activities of daily living (feeding, dressing, functional mobility, bathing, grooming, toileting)
- Academic performance (navigating the school environment, writing, cutting, sitting in chair)
- Play and leisure activities (playing sports, playing age-appropriate gross motor games)
- Job performance
- Driving
- Grocery shopping and meal preparation (navigating the store and kitchen, putting food in oven, etc.)
5 activities to try at home:
1. Navigating obstacle course.
Tip: Create an obstacle that is the just-right challenge for your child (ask a therapist about this) and has your child moving over, across, under, and through objects.
2. Following lines/patterns on the floor with ball.
Tip: Tape patterns on the floor for your child to follow along either by walking, hopping, or moving a ball along. To make it more difficult, try taping hopscotch onto the floor!
3. Playing the floor is lava.
Tip: Create “islands” for your child to stay on without touching the floor!
4. Playing on a playground.
Tip: Head to a playground and allow your child to motor plan and navigate their way through the equipment!
5. Playing Simon Says with gross motor movements.
Tip: For example, “Simon says hop on one foot across the room.”
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2014). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (3rd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(Suppl. 1), S1-S48.
Case-Smith, J., & O’Brien, J. (2015). Occupational therapy for children and adolescents (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby, Inc.