Definition:
Manipulative skills are large motor skills involving an object such as a bat, ball, racquet, or jump rope. They include:
- Pushing
- Pulling
- Lifting
- Striking (e.g., swinging a baseball bat or golf club to hit a ball)
- Throwing
- Kicking
- Rolling (a ball)
- Volleying
- Bouncing
- Catching
- Dribbling
When children are first learning these skills, it is important to remember that their goal isn't complete accuracy (throwing a ball at a target, for example, or to another player in a game). They need to start by mastering the action. It can be helpful to have them practice using imaginary objects at first.
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