Final answer:
Children develop their motor skills by practicing movements that require coordination and control, divided into fine motor and gross motor skills. The cerebellum is key to procedural learning and motor function. During middle childhood, these skills improve notably, leading to more graceful and controlled movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children refine their motor skills through consistent exercise and practice, which enhances their coordination and control. Gross motor skills develop through engaging in activities such as running, jumping, and playing sports, which involve large muscle groups and require balance, agility, and endurance. On the other hand, fine motor skills are honed through tasks that require intricate movements of the fingers, toes, and eyes, such as writing with a pencil, handling small objects, or doing puzzles.
Importantly, the cerebellum plays a crucial role in motor function and procedural learning, enabling children to perform activities like riding a bike or throwing a ball with increased efficiency over time. Throughout middle childhood, muscle strength and coordination continue to improve, leading to more controlled and graceful movements, as depicted in the physical development of children from ages six to ten years.