Is your child struggling with coordination, balance, or fear of movement? Learn why motor delays in children are on the rise and how to support your child’s development.
Why Are Motor Delays in Children Increasing?
More children than ever are showing up in occupational, speech, and physical therapy offices. As a pediatric OT with over 21 years of experience, I’ve watched this trend grow. What used to be uncommon is now something I see every single week.
Motor delays in children are showing up alongside rising rates of attention concerns, sensory processing challenges, poor self-regulation, and decreased strength and coordination. Parents are worried. And honestly? I understand why.
The good news is that there are real reasons behind this rise — and real things we can do about it.
What's Behind This Rise in Motor Skill Concerns?
Several modern lifestyle shifts are contributing to these developmental concerns in kids today.
Limited early movement is a big one. Babies spending long stretches in bouncers, swings, and car seats miss out on the floor time their developing nervous systems need. Tummy time, rolling, and crawling aren’t just cute milestones. They’re building blocks for everything that comes later.
Screen time has replaced active play for many kids. Hours that used to be spent climbing, running, and tumbling are now spent sitting. The brain and body need movement to wire properly. Without it, development suffers.
A Story That Hits Close to Home
I grew up as a street light kid. We played outside until the lights came on. I was also a kid with a severe learning disability. My mother was told I might never learn to read or write, and might never graduate high school.
But I had a teacher who showed me a different way to learn. She had me trace letters on carpet squares. That tactile input, my fingers moving across the texture, activated parts of my brain that traditional methods couldn’t reach. I didn’t know the science then, but I know it now.
I also had a brother who pushed me outside. He taught me to ride a bike. We spent hours hanging upside down on the monkey bars, swinging on swings, and roller skating. That vestibular input, all that movement and balance work, played a huge role in my success. I went on to earn my Master’s in Occupational Therapy.
I think about this a lot. If I had grown up today, with limited outdoor play and constant screen time, I’m not sure I would have had the same outcome. Movement literally shaped my brain.
I’ve seen this play out with my own daughter and with many families I’ve worked with over the years. When kids become less active, anxiety tends to increase. Coordination drops. Sensory sensitivities get worse. Even something as simple as going to a skating rink shows it. Kids today are noticeably less coordinated on skates than children were a generation ago. That’s not an accident.
Movement matters. It always has.
Recognizing Motor Delays in Children: Warning Signs to Watch For
So, what should you watch for? Here are signs your child may need some extra movement support:
- Consistently avoiding certain types of movement or physical activities
- Difficulty with age-appropriate physical tasks like climbing stairs or throwing a ball
- Frequent falling, tripping, or poor balance beyond typical clumsiness
- Delayed motor milestones compared to same-age peers
- Extreme fear of movement or heights that limits daily participation
- Strong resistance to physical activities that other children enjoy
- Constant restless movement that doesn’t seem to calm down, even with regular activity
One or two of these on their own might not be cause for concern. But if you’re seeing a pattern, it’s worth paying attention.
Supporting Motor Development at Home
While you’re waiting for a professional assessment, or even if you just want to be proactive, there is a lot you can do.
Get kids moving on varied surfaces. Grass, sand, gravel, and uneven ground naturally challenge balance and coordination in ways smooth pavement never will.
Bring back the “old school” activities. Bike riding, swinging, rolling down hills, hanging upside down on bars, and spinning are not just fun. They feed the vestibular and proprioceptive systems that are often involved in developmental movement delays. These are the movement experiences that build the nervous system.
When to Seek Professional Support
If you’re seeing warning signs, here are your next steps.
Start with your pediatrician. Share your specific concerns, not just a general worry. The more detail you give, the better they can guide you.
Ask for a referral to a pediatric occupational therapist or physical therapist if motor delays in children are the concern. These specialists can do a full assessment and create a plan tailored to your child.
Trust your instincts. You know your child. If something feels off, it’s always better to check than to wait and wonder.
Early support makes a real difference. The sooner concerns are addressed, the better the outcomes tend to be — for movement, for learning, and for confidence.
Ready to support your child's emotional regulation too?
The Tantrum Tamer App gives you brain-based tools to help your child build calm, developed by a pediatric therapist who’s been right where you are.
You're Not Alone in This
Motor delays in children are more common than ever. But that doesn’t mean you have to navigate it alone, and it doesn’t mean your child’s story is written. With the right support and more of the right kinds of movement, children can make remarkable progress.
Looking for more ways to support your child’s development through movement?
Check out my blogs:
– Kendra
Note to Parents
This blog is for informational purposes and not medical advice. My desire is to help you do what you can to support your child’s development in a natural way. Please reach out to your child’s pediatrician if you have developmental concerns.
