Theories of Motor Development

Theories of motor development explain how children acquire and refine movement skills as they grow. Some, like the maturational theory, suggest development follows a natural sequence driven by biological growth. Others, like the dynamic systems theory, emphasize that development results from interactions between the child’s body, environment, and task demands. The information processing theory views movement as a series of problem-solving steps, while ecological theory highlights the importance of perception and motor coordination with surroundings. Together, these theories help us understand how children learn to control their bodies through experience, interaction, and biological growth over time.