psychomotrice

Psychomotrice refers to the domain of psychomotricité, a field concerned with the relationship between mental processes and movement. It encompasses the development of motor skills, perception, coordination and planning of actions, and the influence of emotion and cognition on movement. In practice, psychomotricité aims to support meaningful participation in daily activities and learning through targeted activities that integrate body awareness, perception and action.

In francophone contexts, psychomotricité is both a theoretical framework and a set of therapeutic approaches. Professionals, often called psychomotriciens or psychomotriciennes, perform assessment and provide individualized interventions. Interventions combine play, guided movements, and structured tasks to improve motor planning (praxis), postural control, coordination, visuomotor integration and spatial orientation, while considering the social and emotional context of the person.

Applications span education, pediatric development and rehabilitation. It is used with young children to promote school readiness and with individuals who have developmental disorders, dyspraxia, autism spectrum conditions or attention-related challenges. It can also support adults recovering from neurological injuries or managing aging-related changes, always within a multidisciplinary framework.

Assessment typically relies on observational methods, developmental scales and standardized psychomotor tests, complemented by information from families and teachers. Outcomes focus on functional abilities and participation in daily activities rather than isolated test scores. While the evidence base varies by setting, psychomotricité is generally presented as a supportive, non-pharmacological approach that complements medical, educational and therapeutic care.

History and terminology: psychomotricité emerged in the 20th century as an integrated approach to mind–body development, bridging psychology, physiology and pedagogy. It remains closely linked to related concepts such as motor development, motor coordination disorders and praxis. See also: dyspraxie, motricité, thérapie psychomotrice.