A University of Texas at Arlington study reveals that even children who meet standard developmental milestones may be falling behind in age-appropriate motor skills. Priscila Tamplain, UT Arlington associate professor of kinesiology and director of the Motor Development Lab, has published multiple articles on the topic and cautions parents not to overlook the issue.
As Dr. Tamplain explained, motor skills play an important role in children's long-term physical and mental health. For example, children who struggle kicking a ball or climbing a playground wall when entering elementary school may get left out of recess games, which can lead to withdrawal and social isolation—issues with lasting negative effects.
"We think we're so evolved, but the way you belong in elementary school is a lot through your motor skills. You can play at recess, right?" Tamplain said. "This isn't the only thing, but it's a really important one. The point is that those skills are not given—they don't come as birthday gifts. You have to promote and practice them. If you don't, you're not going to develop good, age-appropriate motor skills."
Tamplain added that very few of us are natural athletes.
"Putting a little bit more effort into promoting experiences for instruction and practice of motor skills early and later in childhood can do wonders for teenagers and young adults," she said.
Several factors in today's society contribute to gaps in motor skill development, including excessive screen time, limited play time, too much time indoors and minimal instruction. Tamplain also said that changes to milestone charts may mean children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are not identified early, since the guidelines suggest they are reaching milestones on time.
"Developmental milestones are not the only—or even the best—way to know whether a child is developing motor skills on time," said Tamplain, who published her findings in the Journal of Motor Learning and Development. "I always tell parents to trust their intuition. If the child seems clumsy for their age compared to siblings or other kids, there are other assessments."
Related: UTA supports neurodivergent students at every stage
Tamplain pointed to studies that explain the long-term consequences of poor motor skills. The Stodden Model illustrates a loop between low motor competence and later physical health, while the environmental stress hypothesis links poor motor skills to issues such as anxiety and depression.
"Kids need motor experiences as much as possible," Tamplain said. "They need freedom, space, less screen time, more real physical play and appropriate instruction. The more motor experiences they have, the better."
Tamplain also runs the Little Mavs Movement Academy, now in its 14th year, for children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions affecting motor skills. Sessions are held every Tuesday evening at UTA's Physical Education Building, and enrollment is consistently at capacity. The program helps children develop everyday skills like buttoning a shirt, using utensils and writing clearly.
For Tamplain, these are essential skills that every child should develop on time, making early intervention critical.
"The research shows how much motor skills predict later problems, but we still focus on the later problems and not on what we can do earlier," she said. "If we intervene earlier, it's much cheaper and much better for kids. I think that's an easy concept to think about—the earlier we do something, the better."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
