Helping Your Child Develop Fine Motor Skills

Good fine motor skills are required to complete many of our everyday tasks, like typing or writing, using cutlery when we eat, tying our laces and doing up the buttons on our shirts. These skills basically refer to the co-ordination between the smaller muscles in our hands, fingers, and wrists, as well as our strength and dexterity. Weak fine motor skills will make it difficult for your child to complete various essential tasks, so helping your child develop these skills from an early age is crucial for their development. I have teamed up with a nursery in Hampshire to share some tips.

Arts & Crafts

Activities like drawing, colouring, painting, cutting etc all involve the use of fine motor skills, so they are a great way to help your child practise. Their artwork won’t be particularly neat at first, but as the smaller muscles in their hands, fingers, and wrists become stronger so will their control over their crafting materials.

Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles involve the manipulation of small pieces which requires good fine motor skills, so it’s another great way for your child to practise. What’s more, puzzles will help them with their critical thinking skills as they work out where the pieces should go. Jenga and various board games are also great for helping your child with their fine motor skills.

Dressing

Fine motor skills are essential for getting dress, so try and encourage your child to dress themselves independently, even if that means you all have to get up a little bit sooner in the mornings. Doing so will benefit their development, as they do up buttons and zips, brush their teeth and hair, and tie their laces.

Water Play

Squeezing sponges and pouring water from one cup to another all help with fine motor control because they strengthen the relevant muscles. You can do this during bath time, in the paddling pool or even just with a bucket of water.

Gardening

Digging and using other gardening tools is another great option for helping support your child’s motor development, especially during summer when the weather is a little nicer. Not only is it good for your child’s development, but also encourages them to get some fresh air and vitamin D, which is great for their health.

It’s important to bear in mind that children all develop skills at different paces, so don’t be too concerned if your child is progressing a little slower than their friends. However, if you do suspect that there could be issues with their fine motor development, don’t be afraid to speak to your GP and request an evaluation.

Collaboration.