What is Visual Motor Integration?
Visual motor integration (VMI) is the ability to perceive information from the eyes, process that information in the brain, and move the body accordingly. These skills are important to develop fine and gross motor skills. Gross motor skills are the movements of larger muscles in the arms and legs that allow us to jump, catch/throw balls, and ride a bike. Fine motor skills are the movements of small muscles in the fingers and wrists that allow us to write, tie shoes, use utensils, and cut paper. These two motor skills work together to allow an individual to participate in daily activities.
Common signs a child has poor VMI:
Poor handwriting
Difficulties with buttons, zippers, and shoe-tying
Difficulty coloring inside the lines
Difficulty catching or kicking a ball
Poor body awareness
Fun Activities to Improve VMI at Home:
Paint
Have your child complete a paint-by-number of their favorite animal or show
Jigsaw Puzzles
Origami
Create paper airplanes or follow the steps to create simple origami
iSpy
Have your child find different items around the house and write them
Legos
Make a design and have your child replicate the pattern
If your child is experiencing difficulties with visual motor integration, consult with an occupational therapist to receive the resources, education, and skilled interventions needed to support participation in daily life activities.
Consider reading more about visual motor integration skills with this evidence-based resource.
Resource:
Carsone, B., Green, K., Torrence, W., & Henry, B. (2021). Systematic review of visual motor integration in children with developmental disabilities. Occupational Therapy International, 2021, 1801196. doi: 10.1155/2021/1801196
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