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How to Promote Fine Motor Skills

by Andrea Buckner Schoenherr

  • Overview

    Chances are you are already helping promote your child's fine motor skills through your natural activities and play sessions. However, your child will benefit if you consciously promote the development of her fine motor, or small muscle, skills. These skills take time to develop, but they enable your child to eventually master handwriting or tying her shoes. Practice activities appropriate for your child's individual development in a loving, fun manner.

  • Babies

 

  • Step 1

    Provide young babies with freedom and plenty of opportunities to move their hands. Heidi Murkoff, parenting expert and author of the "What to Expect" series, warns parents not to keep a baby constantly swaddled or under a blanket.

  • Step 2

    Purchase items that encourage young babies to grasp. Rattles, activity gyms and activity boards all allow babies to grab at items. Later, use toys like blocks and balls and household items like wooden spoons and pots to further development.

  • Step 3

    Place items in baby's hands for practice before he is able to grasp on his own.

  • Step 4

    Encourage baby, once grasping, to move a toy from one hand to another. Offering another interesting toy can motivate her to do so.

  • Step 5

    Play finger games. You will be modeling at first, but the baby will eventually mimic you. Patty cake and itsy-bitsy spider are two classics.

  • Older Infants to Toddlers

    • Step 1

      Work on your child's pincer grasp. This is the ability to grasp an object with the thumb and pointer finger. Cheerios or similarly shaped cereals are the classic item for mastering the movement. Consider purchasing a story book that encourages your child to finish illustrations by placing cereal on each page.

    • Step 2

      Provide shape sorters and put-and-take toys. Make your own by filling a bag or box with baby's toys or household items and encouraging him to take the items out and put them back.

    • Step 3

      Encourage your child to turn the pages of a board book.

    • Step 4

      Use large puzzles, blocks, and activity boards or books with buttons, knobs, and gears to encourage your child to manipulate smaller items.

    • Step 5

      Give your child the opportunity to use crayons and finger paints under your direct supervision. Tape paper to the table or floor to prevent it from sliding.

  • Preschool

    • Step 1

      Allow your child the chance to master everyday activities that require fine motor skills. Buttoning clothes, using child-safe scissors to cut out traced shapes, and any writing and drawing activities will further his development.

    • Step 2

      Set up a sandbox area that promotes fine motor development. Include small trucks, cups and digging utensils.

    • Step 3

      Use play dough to create hands-on activities. Provide craft sticks, cookie cutters, straws and other items to encourage manipulation. Also, follow the suggestion of Angela Owens from the publication Putting Children First, and hide small, interesting items in play dough like a marble or small figurine. Make this a game and encourage your child to find the mystery object.

    • Step 4

      Complete crafts with your child. Papier-mache, cookie decorating and card making all require the use of hand skills and eye coordination.
    • 3
    • Rattles Activity gyms and boards Blocks Balls Wooden spoons and pots Small cereal shapes Shape sorters Puzzles Board books Crayons and finger paint Child-safe scissors Items to button Sandbox Play dough Craft items
    • Rattles
    • Activity gyms and boards
    • Blocks
    • Balls
    • Wooden spoons and pots
    • Small cereal shapes
    • Shape sorters
    • Puzzles
    • Board books
    • Crayons and finger paint
    • Child-safe scissors
    • Items to button
    • Sandbox
    • Play dough
    • Craft items
    • Have patience with fine motor activities as they can often be messy.
    • Have patience with fine motor activities as they can often be messy.
    • Be cautious of choking hazards as you work to promote fine motor skills. Proceed through the activities according to your child's individual development. Discuss any concerns about your child's development with your doctor.
    • Be cautious of choking hazards as you work to promote fine motor skills.
    • Proceed through the activities according to your child's individual development.
    • Discuss any concerns about your child's development with your doctor.

    References & Resources

       
       
     
     

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