How to Promote Children's Fine Motor Skills

by Ann Hudson

Overview

Helping a child build fine motor skills can help him get off to a good start both at home and at school. Fine motor skills involve the use of smaller muscles in the body, particularly the fingers and the hands. There are many tasks that are part of the daily routine that can help a child develop fine motor skills. From basic grooming tasks to planned craft activities to preparing a meal, building fine motor skills through everyday activities fosters confidence and independence.
Starting the Day with Fine Motor Skills

Step 1

Encourage even a young child to handle buttons, zippers, snaps and buckles as he gets dressed every day. He may need help at first, but allowing him to handle simple dressing skills on a daily basis provides a natural and consistent way to build fine motor skills.
Step 2

Teach a child to tie his shoe as soon as he is able. Tying shoes requires concentrated fine motor skills. It may be helpful to allow the child to practice on a large adult shoe until he gets the hang of it. Once tying shoes becomes a regular part of the morning's routine, you will have a built-in way to promote fine motor skills.
Step 3

Have the child apply toothpaste to his toothbrush when he brushes his teeth each day.
Step 4

Allow the child to comb or brush his own hair each day. An adult will most likely need to finish the job, but by letting the child grasp the brush or comb you are fostering improved fine motor skills.

Using Art Projects to Enhance Fine Motor Skills

Step 1

Provide the child with a sheet of construction paper and crayons to draw a picture of anything that they like. The act of grasping the crayon and drawing on paper provides an excellent way of developing fine motor skills.
Step 2

Include scissors and cutting in the art project. Have the child cut various freehand shapes from a blank piece of construction paper.
Step 3

Instruct the child glue the construction paper cut-outs around the edge of the drawing to form a frame with white craft glue. Handling the cut-out construction paper pieces and the glue will build fine motor skills.
Step 4

Tell the child to turn the finished project over and print his name on the back. If the child is able to write, tell him to write a description of what the art depicts.

Step 1

Have the child help prepare meals by retrieving ingredients and opening them if possible. Opening sandwich bags or grasping and twisting jar lids allows the child to develop fine motor skills while also allowing him the added satisfaction of helping to cook a meal.
Step 2

Let the child help with food preparation by stirring and mixing ingredients in a mixing bowl. Fine motor skills will develop as the child grasps the mixing spoon and stirs.
Step 3

Allow the child to help set the table, including laying out cutlery, napkins, salt and pepper shakers and other small items.

1
1 pair children's shoes 1 pair adult shoes Articles of clothing with zippers, buttons or snaps Toothbrush Toothpaste Hairbrush Comb Mixing bowl Large mixing spoon 1 or 2 small jars 1 or 2 zip lock bags Salt and pepper shakers Paper napkins Cutlery 2 or 3 sheets of construction paper Crayons Scissors White craft glue Pencil
1 pair children's shoes
1 pair adult shoes
Articles of clothing with zippers, buttons or snaps
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Hairbrush
Comb
Mixing bowl
Large mixing spoon
1 or 2 small jars
1 or 2 zip lock bags
Salt and pepper shakers
Paper napkins
Cutlery
2 or 3 sheets of construction paper
Crayons
Scissors
White craft glue
Pencil
When playing games that involve dice, allow young children to develop fine motor skills by cupping the dice in their hands and shaking before releasing.
When playing games that involve dice, allow young children to develop fine motor skills by cupping the dice in their hands and shaking before releasing.
When young children are learning to use scissors, make sure that you provide them with scissors that are easy to use and are the right size for the child's small hands.
When young children are learning to use scissors, make sure that you provide them with scissors that are easy to use and are the right size for the child's small hands.