fine motor
Fine motor skills relate to the small muscles in our hands. These are the muscles that help us do things such as write, button, zip and feed ourselves. Fine motor skills typically develop in a predicable sequence and are strengthened throughout childhood through practice and play!
She goes on to explain that we can see in the x-rays that not only the size of the hand changes, but the younger child’s hand has cartilage that becomes bone—which happens around 6-8 years. You can find the original thread here:
Finger-paint, Paint with Water, Play Doh, Kinetic Sand, Putty, Puzzles, Coloring, Block Building, Board Games, Puppets…
infants (birth-1 year)
First babies will discover their hands! They might stare and then finally move them and realized they are indeed theirs to move!
They first display palmar reflex—this is the adorable wrap around someone’s finger (literally) grasp. This grasp is through about 4 months.
Then, around 4-6 months old, baby will begin to use palmar grasp. They will begin to be able to hold the object in their palm and then wrap their fingers around it (thumb still out typically).
Around 6-8 months the thumb gets involved in the radial palmar grasp. The fingers wrap and support the palmed object better.
By 10 months, the radial digital grasp shows an object being held between the thumb and fingers. The fingers are getting stronger and more coordinated—the palm isn’t needed here!
The fingers continue to get more precise in the pincer grasp. At first, the thumb will hold the object against the fingers and then finally, the first finger and thumb will be able to accurately pick up and hold a small object, such as a cheerio!
toddler (1 year - 2 years)
Expectations & Practice
Uses whole fist to grasp writing utensil (crayon, marker, pencil)
Scribbles
Helps Set Table
Holds Utensils to Eat
Wipes Table
Helps with Meals (stir & shake)
preschool (3 years - 5 years)
Expectation & Practice
Build Block Tower
Stack Rings
Peel Stickers
Turn 2-3 pages in Book, Then 1 Page at a Time
Turn Knobs
Self Feed with Minimal to No Assistance
Drink from a Cup
Pour into Cup (or other container)
Spray Bottle of Water to Help Clean
Get Dressed and Undressed
String Large Beads
Use Scissors (& Cut on a Line)
Hold Writing Utensil Properly
Make Vertical, Horizontal and Circular Strokes
Draw a Cross and a Square
Write Name
Write at least 1-5
Copy all Letters
Play Doh tools (above) don't always have to be cookie cutters or store bought. You can easily make your own with popsicle sticks or bottle caps with hot glue.
Other materials you can use that you already have: Wooden or foam letters, shells, plastic spoons or forks, glass pebbles, candles, pipe cleaners, potato masher, whisk, google eyes, plastic animals, wooden skewers or toothpicks, rocks, buttons, safety scissors, wooden blocks, straws, silicone cupcake liners, noodles, beads…
Also, kids don't always even need tools. Let them explore and create!
Sticker Trick (above)
Peel all of the background off first to help little fingers have more success in peeling stickers. Stickers are a great fine motor activity! Regular stickers, window clings--anything!
Fine Motor Practice with Clothes Pins (to the right)
Educational and fun! Depending on your child's skill level, write on a piece of cardboard or cardstock. Write the same thing on clothes pins. Children will practice their fine motor skills as they match clothespin on the cardboard.
These busy bags (below) can be easily made with simple materials. Keep them in a pencil pouch or box, wipe box, or other small container to be portable for those times you have to keep busy such as car rides, restaurants, or while their little sibling is napping!
