Psychomotricity is the area of development that integrates the body, movement, and the child’s mental and emotional processes. Working on it from an early age helps children develop better body awareness, improve balance, attention, coordination, and even school performance. The good news is that you can stimulate all of this with simple, fun, and accessible activities at home!
What Is Psychomotricity and Why Is It Important?
Psychomotricity involves:
• Gross motor skills: large body movements (running, jumping, balancing)
• Fine motor skills: small and precise movements (grasping objects, drawing, cutting)
• Spatial and temporal orientation: understanding space and sequence of actions
• Body schema: awareness of one’s own body and its limits
Children who develop good psychomotricity skills tend to learn, express themselves, interact, and regulate their emotions more easily.
Benefits of Psychomotor Activities
✅ Improves balance and coordination
✅ Develops sense of time and space
✅ Stimulates attention and concentration
✅ Promotes self-confidence and autonomy
✅ Reduces hyperactivity and anxiety
✅ Prepares for writing and school activities
10 Psychomotor Activities to Do at Home
🧱 1. Motor Circuit with Cushions and Chairs
Set up an obstacle course: jump, crawl, go under. Stimulates the whole body and logical reasoning.
🎯 2. Balance Tape Game
Stick tape to the floor and challenge the child to walk on it like a tightrope. Develops balance and focus.
🐾 3. Walk Like Animals
Imitate the walk of an elephant, cat, frog, or crab. Helps with coordination, rhythm, and body awareness.
🧘 4. Kids’ Yoga
Teach simple poses like “tree” or “cobra.” Works on strength, balance, and calming skills.
🎈 5. Balloon Hunt
Throw a balloon in the air and ask the child not to let it fall. Encourages reaction, agility, and fine motor control.
🎳 6. Bowling with Plastic Bottles
Set up pins with bottles and use a ball to knock them down. Great for practicing precision and strength.
⬛ 7. Jump on the Colors
Place colored paper on the floor and ask the child to jump only on specific colors. Enhances attention, laterality, and memory.
🖐️ 8. Fit Pasta into a Colander
Give the child a pasta strainer and uncooked spaghetti to insert into the holes. Excellent for fine motor coordination.
⏰ 9. Freeze Dance
Dance to music and stop suddenly. The child must freeze in place. Improves self-control and active listening.
🚦 10. Follow the Command!
Simple commands like “jump 3 times,” “run to the couch and back” support listening skills, rhythm, and response speed.
How to Adapt for Each Age Group
Age Activity Suggestions
2 to 3 years Broad and free movements
4 to 5 years Introduce games with simple rules
6 years More challenging activities with sequential instructions
Tips to Encourage Daily Psychomotor Practice
🕒 Include 20 to 30 minutes of daily free and guided movement
🧸 Create a safe space with a mat or soft carpet for activities
🙌 Play together to bond and provide encouragement
🧘 Alternate between energetic and calm, focused activities
🌈 Value the effort and the process, not just performance
Conclusion
Movement is essential for a child’s overall development. Psychomotor games don’t require large spaces or expensive materials—just creativity, presence, and love. Incorporating psychomotor activities into your daily routine is an investment in a child’s learning, well-being, and autonomy. And the best part: you’ll have fun too!