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.