The Three Stages of Praxis: And Where It Can Break Down

Understanding praxis becomes easier when we break it into its three stages.

1. Ideation: “What Should I Do?”

This is the ability to generate an idea for action.

For example:

• picking up a crayon to draw

• deciding how to approach a new toy

• knowing that a shirt needs to go over the head

A child with difficulty in ideation may:

• seem passive or unsure

• struggle to initiate play

• rely heavily on prompts

It may appear as a lack of interest—but often, it is a lack of clarity on how to begin.

2. Planning: “How Do I Do It?”

Once the idea is formed, the brain needs to organize the steps.

For example:

• holding the shirt correctly

• positioning arms in the right order

• coordinating movements

A child may understand the goal but struggle with sequencing.

This is where you might hear: “I don’t know how…” even when they clearly do know.

3. Execution: “Can My Body Do It?”

This involves carrying out the movement smoothly and efficiently.

Challenges here may look like:

• clumsiness

• awkward movements

• inconsistent performance

The child may:

• succeed one day and struggle the next

• appear hesitant or slow

• avoid tasks that require coordination