Developing fine motor skills in your child
Rhianna Suttie-Gunson
January 20, 2008
The development of fine motor skills is an important aspect of your child's growth. One which you as a parent can help develop with a few simple and easy steps.
Fine motor skills refers to your child's ability to use their hands. It encompasses writing, handling utensils and other tools, tying shoelaces, undoing buttons and closing zips. Children begin to develop fine motor skills from around three months of age.
In the first instance a baby's hand and arm movements appear free of control, however as they age and the skill develops their movements show purpose and controls is established. Even at this tender age it is possible to help with the development of fine motor skills as a toddler.
By setting foundations early in life development milestones may be easily attained. Here are some helpful tips from around three months to early childhood.
Babies
Provide babies with a range of rattles and objects to hold. They should be light and easy to clasp. Two handles are great as they allow baby to benefit from pass the object from hand to hand.
From about six months provide the baby with Cradle gyms and activity boards. These have a variety of parts for baby to hold, push, twist, spin and a range of other things. It may take a while before baby can deliberately activate these but in the meantime they will get great pleasure from wildly waving their arms about in attempt. Not only do these activities assisting hand-eye co-ordination, a fundamental fine motor skill, but they also teach about cause and effect.
Allow baby's hands to be free. Free from mittens, and free to roam where ever they want, obviously with in reason though.
Provide a range of objects like blocks, balls, dolls, in different materials and fabrics. This will encourage the child to want to touch them.
Play clapping and finger games. There are a range of songs and games that involve the hands. Your child learns from watching you, so show them all the things your hands and fingers can do
Point to pictures in books and point things out for your child to look at as you travel. Get your child to point to pictures as well.
Toddlers and beyond
Continue with similar ideas as to babies just add complexity and smaller objects may be increased. Smaller object for your child to handle will increase dexterity
Water play. Tipping water between bowls or cups and jugs is a wonderful way to develop fine motor skills and teaches again about cause and effect
Jigsaw puzzles and more complex activity boards
Allow baby access to buttons and zippers as they grow, as well as paper, crayons and pencils. Textas are not recommended at this age
Threading beads or macaroni on to thread, wool or pipe cleaners
Painting, particularly finger painting. Though any art and craft activity is great. Adult supervision and assistance is needed though
This is really only the tip of the iceberg in terms of helping develop fine motor skills. As it is such an important part of everyday life you will easily be able to find many more applications now you have been pointed in the right direction.
Fine motor skills refers to your child's ability to use their hands. It encompasses writing, handling utensils and other tools, tying shoelaces, undoing buttons and closing zips. Children begin to develop fine motor skills from around three months of age.
In the first instance a baby's hand and arm movements appear free of control, however as they age and the skill develops their movements show purpose and controls is established. Even at this tender age it is possible to help with the development of fine motor skills as a toddler.
By setting foundations early in life development milestones may be easily attained. Here are some helpful tips from around three months to early childhood.
Babies
Provide babies with a range of rattles and objects to hold. They should be light and easy to clasp. Two handles are great as they allow baby to benefit from pass the object from hand to hand.
From about six months provide the baby with Cradle gyms and activity boards. These have a variety of parts for baby to hold, push, twist, spin and a range of other things. It may take a while before baby can deliberately activate these but in the meantime they will get great pleasure from wildly waving their arms about in attempt. Not only do these activities assisting hand-eye co-ordination, a fundamental fine motor skill, but they also teach about cause and effect.
Allow baby's hands to be free. Free from mittens, and free to roam where ever they want, obviously with in reason though.
Provide a range of objects like blocks, balls, dolls, in different materials and fabrics. This will encourage the child to want to touch them.
Play clapping and finger games. There are a range of songs and games that involve the hands. Your child learns from watching you, so show them all the things your hands and fingers can do
Point to pictures in books and point things out for your child to look at as you travel. Get your child to point to pictures as well.
Toddlers and beyond
Continue with similar ideas as to babies just add complexity and smaller objects may be increased. Smaller object for your child to handle will increase dexterity
Water play. Tipping water between bowls or cups and jugs is a wonderful way to develop fine motor skills and teaches again about cause and effect
Jigsaw puzzles and more complex activity boards
Allow baby access to buttons and zippers as they grow, as well as paper, crayons and pencils. Textas are not recommended at this age
Threading beads or macaroni on to thread, wool or pipe cleaners
Painting, particularly finger painting. Though any art and craft activity is great. Adult supervision and assistance is needed though
This is really only the tip of the iceberg in terms of helping develop fine motor skills. As it is such an important part of everyday life you will easily be able to find many more applications now you have been pointed in the right direction.
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