How Poor Motor Planning Affects Handwriting, Dressing, and Play

Motor planning is an essential but often overlooked part of child development. It’s what allows children to think about a movement, plan it, and then carry it out successfully. Whether it’s holding a pencil, getting dressed, or joining in on a playground game, motor planning plays a key role in everyday life.

When children struggle with motor planning, it can impact their ability to participate in daily activities — which, in turn, can affect their confidence, learning, and social development. In this blog, we’ll explore how poor motor planning can interfere with handwriting, dressing, and play, and what parents can do to help.

What Is Motor Planning?

Understanding Praxis in Childhood

Motor planning, also known as praxis, is the brain’s ability to create a plan for a movement and then follow through. It’s not just about muscle strength — it’s about coordination, sequencing, and adapting movements as needed.

Children with poor motor planning may know what they want to do but have difficulty figuring out how to begin or complete a task. This can lead to frustration, avoidance, and low self-esteem if not addressed early.

Handwriting and Motor Planning: The Invisible Connection

Why Handwriting Can Be So Challenging

Handwriting isn’t just about learning letters — it’s a complex motor task. Children must:

Hold the pencil correctly

Use the right amount of pressure

Control hand and finger movements

Plan where each letter and word should go

Poor motor planning can cause handwriting to be:

Slow and laboured

Illegible or inconsistent

Avoided entirely due to frustration

Common Red Flags

Parents and teachers may notice that a child:

Struggles to form letters or write on lines

Reverses letters or forgets how to form them

Tires quickly or becomes anxious during writing tasks

Addressing motor planning early can improve handwriting fluency and boost classroom participation.

Dressing: A Daily Task Made Difficult

The Impact on Independence

Getting dressed may seem simple, but it requires multiple coordinated actions:

Choosing the correct item

Figuring out the sequence (shirt before jumper, socks before shoes)

Managing fasteners like buttons, zippers, or laces

Poor motor planning can result in:

Taking a long time to get dressed

Putting clothes on backwards or in the wrong order

Frustration or meltdowns during the morning routine

Supporting Dressing Skills

Children benefit from:

Visual step-by-step dressing charts

Practising with clothes that have easy fasteners

Breaking the task into smaller steps to reduce overwhelm

By strengthening motor planning, children can build greater independence in self-care tasks.

Play and Social Interaction: More Than Just Fun

The Role of Motor Planning in Play

Play helps children develop social skills, coordination, and creativity. But poor motor planning can prevent a child from:

Joining in team games or playground activities

Understanding rules or sequences in games

Coordinating movements like climbing, jumping, or riding a bike

This may lead to social withdrawal or being left out of peer groups, impacting a child’s emotional wellbeing.

Encouraging Inclusive Play

To support a child with motor planning difficulties:

Offer structured play opportunities at home

Use turn-taking games or obstacle courses that build sequencing

Praise effort, not just skill, to build confidence

Inclusive and supportive play environments can help children practise skills without pressure.

When to Seek Professional Support

Knowing the Right Time to Act

If your child consistently struggles with tasks involving coordination, sequencing, or completing multi-step movements, it may be time to consult a professional.

An occupational therapist can:

Assess your child’s motor planning abilities

Identify specific challenges with dressing, handwriting, or play

Develop a personalised plan to build motor skills and confidence

How Occupational Therapy Can Help

Tailored Strategies for Real-Life Tasks

Occupational therapy focuses on practical, everyday tasks that matter most to your child. Interventions may include:

Fine motor games for handwriting

Dressing routines using visuals or repetition

Gross motor activities to build coordination and sequencing

Therapists work closely with parents to ensure strategies are carried over at home and in school.

Supporting Your Child at Home

Small Steps Make a Big Difference

Parents play a vital role in developing motor planning. You can:

Break tasks into manageable steps

Use verbal cues or prompts

Encourage repetition through play

Allow extra time to complete tasks

Always celebrate small wins — even if it takes longer. Confidence builds with every successful attempt.

Motor planning plays a major role in how children learn to navigate the world — from picking up a pencil to getting dressed and joining in on games. When children struggle in these areas, it’s not just about being “clumsy” or “slow” — it’s often a sign they need extra support.