How to overcome the challenges of motor planning with practical, enjoyable strategies.

Understanding motor planning doesn’t have to be a daunting task for homeschooling parents. Think of it as a new kind of exploration, a little like learning a handicraft, where you will understand your child a little more. We want to support our kids when they are struggling in their daily occupations- what they need and want to do to occupy their time during the day. Handwriting is an example of an occupation where motor planning is crucial.

What is Motor Planning?

When we think about handwriting, we often focus on neatness, spelling, or pencil grip—but there’s an underlying skill that plays a huge role in a child’s ability to write: motor planning. Motor planning is the brain’s ability to conceive, plan, and carry out a sequence of unfamiliar actions. It’s what allows us to move smoothly through a task, whether that’s tying shoes, playing an instrument, or writing a sentence. When it comes to handwriting, motor planning also helps children organize their thoughts and turn them into written words. If even one part of the process is difficult, the entire task can feel frustrating. Motor planning includes three key steps:

Ideation – Coming up with the idea of what to do. This includes the actual motor task of letter formation but also the more complex thinking of what to write about.

Sequencing – Organizing the steps to complete the task. Sequencing the formation of letters, and also structuring sentences.

Execution – Carrying out the task. Writing legibly and fluently.

So, if writing is a challenge, how do we know if motor planning is the issue?

Observe and note if motor planning challenges also show up elsewhere in everyday activities—like hesitating to climb a tree, struggling to ride a bike, or having difficulty learning the steps of a karate sequence.
Build your team- Occupational therapists are trained to assess how a child plans and carries out physical and cognitive tasks—like writing, dressing, or playing—and identify where the breakdown occurs. Once they understand a child’s unique needs, they create individualized treatment plans to build skills in ideation, planning, and execution. Through play-based activities, movement, and structured practice, OTs help children become more confident and independent in everyday tasks. HomeschoolOT can support you in implementing these strategies into your homeschool day.

In episode 58 of the OT is IN podcast, we hosted the knowledgeable OT, Katie Zelinski, to define motor planning and provide practical strategies on how to the overcome the challenges. Katie, who’s been an OT for over 11 years, understands the complexities. Speaking to fellow occupational therapists and parents, she breaks down “praxis” — another term referring to our ability to plan and execute movements.

So What Do We Do- Focus on Ideation In Other Areas of Our Homeschool As Well

We often see this process when kids try to learn handwriting. Katie encourages us to step back from the paper, the pencil, and the lines, and instead engage in activities where they can express shapes with their fingers, blocks, or even in a pile of autumn leaves. Suddenly, handwriting is about drawing in pudding, lifting them out of the routine and into a creative flow.

As our students get older, we may hear complaints like “I don’t know what to write about?” or a simple “I have no idea” when given a writing prompt. Strategies like brainstorming together, offering visual prompts, or providing guided outlines can help build confidence and independence over time. We can also harness technology, like ai, provide source texts, and/ or broaden research skills to help them shortcut the ideation phase of writing assignments. This not only builds confidence but bridges the gaps that traditional methods struggle to fill.

So remember, this exploration into motor planning within your homeschool isn’t just about checking off a list of educational goals. It’s about helping our kids to understand their brains and knowing their own strengths and weaknesses. This helps prepare them for life’s adventures far beyond academics.

OT is IN #58 Practical Tips for handwriting- how to know and what to do if the issue is motor planning

Katie Zelinski discusses the intricacies of motor planning, also known as praxis, and its impact on handwriting and daily activities. Katie, with over 11 years of experience in pediatric OT and founder of The Well Balanced OT, shares her wealth of knowledge on how motor planning affects children, from dressing themselves to participating in activities like catching a ball. Katie explores how challenges in motor planning manifest in tasks such as handwriting, and she offers insightful strategies to help parents support their children’s development through creative play and practice without the pressure of traditional writing tasks. Whether you’re a parent or therapist, this episode provides valuable insights into understanding and addressing motor planning challenges in children.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

Katie Zelinski’s Background
Katie’s experience of 11 years as an Occupational Therapist (OT).
Establishment of Katie’s business, The Well Balanced OT.
Discussion on Motor Planning and Praxis
Definition and explanation of motor planning and praxis.
Multiple components of motor planning.
Steps involved in motor planning: Ideation, Sequencing, Execution.
Practical examples of motor planning in learning activities.
Differentiation between practicing motor planning as a skill and it becoming innate.
Observations of Motor Planning Challenges
Signs of motor planning challenges in children.
Examples like dressing, catching a ball, play activities.
Handwriting and Motor Planning
Connection between motor planning challenges and handwriting difficulties.
Ideation’s impact on writing.
Ways motor planning affects holding and using a writing tool.
Strategies for practicing handwriting without writing.
Motivating Children with Motor Planning Challenges
Importance of making learning engaging and incorporating play.
Use of resources and creativity to support idea generation.
Avoiding stress by focusing on underlying skills.
Addressing Motor Planning in Older Children
Challenges faced by older kids.
Strategies including using technology and alternative methods.
Focus on typing and voice-to-text as alternatives to handwriting.

Links and Resources From Today’s Show

Connect with our Guest, Katie Zelinski

Katie is a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in regulation and sensory processing. She has a certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration. Katie has worked in various settings including early intervention, preschool, and a pediatric outpatient clinic. She is the founder of The Well-Balanced OT which offers online resources, professional development, and mentorship programs for pediatric OTs.

Connect With Katie On Instagram

Connect With Katie On Facebook