Motor planning is a process that helps us learn motor actions. You try something, and you get instant feedback on how it went. You adjust what you’re doing and try again. And you keep adjusting until you find the most efficient way of doing it. From then on, your brain quickly plans for that action every time.
When kids have trouble with motor planning, however, they don’t easily learn from the feedback they get. Even if they’ve done a task before, it’s like they’re doing it for the first time.
Kids who struggle with motor planning can seem clumsy. They might seem slow to learn basic skills and take “forever” to complete physical tasks like tying shoes. Motor planning issues can also affect how kids do in school, since basic physical tasks can be hard for them.
Trouble with motor planning may be part of a larger problem with movement and coordination. It’s common in kids who have developmental coordination disorder (DCD), which is sometimes referred to as dyspraxia.