Fine motor skills are the small movements children make with their hands, fingers, feet, and toes. These skills help kids do everyday things like holding a pencil, tying their shoes, or picking up small objects.
While we mostly think about hand and finger movements, fine motor skills also include movements with the feet and toes, which are important for activities like playing sports or dancing.
Developing fine motor skills is important because it involves:
In early childhood, these skills are closely watched because delays can sometimes point to other challenges. The earlier any issues are spotted, the quicker children can get the support they need to grow and improve.
In this article, we learn about all things related to fine motor skills. So, keep reading!
Examples of Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are the small movements your child makes with their hands and fingers.
These skills help them do everyday tasks that require control and coordination. Here are some examples of fine motor skills:
| Activity | Examples |
| Writing and Drawing | Holding a pencil or crayon to write letters, draw pictures, or color within the lines. |
| Cutting with Scissors | Using scissors to cut out shapes or small pieces of paper. |
| Using Everyday Tools | Typing on a keyboard, using a ruler, or handling small objects like buttons and zippers. |
| Playing a Musical Instrument | Using both hands to play an instrument, such as placing fingers on piano keys or strumming guitar strings. |
| Getting Dressed | Buttoning shirts, tying shoelaces, zipping up jackets, or snapping buttons. |
| Self-Care | Activities like brushing teeth, using the toilet, or washing hands. |
| Playing with Toys | Playing with small toys like building blocks, stringing beads, or winding up toy cars. |
I hope you get a basic idea of what fine motor skills are. Let’s talk about why it is important!
Why are fine motor skills important?
Fine motor skills are super important for your child’s growth and everyday life. Here’s why they matter:
Building Coordination
These skills also help with hand-eye coordination, like when your child picks up a spoon, draws shapes, or plays catch.
Helping Your Child Become Independent
Fine motor skills let your child do things on their own, like feeding themselves, getting dressed, and brushing their teeth.
These little steps help them feel proud and independent.
Doing Well in School
Your child will need fine motor skills for school activities like writing, cutting paper, coloring, and using glue.
These are important for learning and keeping up with schoolwork.
Fun and Hobbies
Whether it’s playing with toys, building blocks, drawing, or even video games, fine motor skills are behind a lot of the fun things your child enjoys doing!
Preparing for the Future
As your child grows, fine motor skills will help them with future jobs, like using computers or tools. These skills are building blocks for their future success.
Exploring the World
Fine motor skills allow your child to interact with the world, whether they’re picking up small objects, playing with toys, or building things. It helps them learn more about their surroundings.
Knowing the importance is not enough. Take a look, how much your child develops fine motor skills based on age.
Fine Motor Skill Milestones for Kids (Age wise)
As your baby grows, they’ll reach different milestones for fine motor skills. Here’s what you can expect in their first year:
Infant (0-12 Months)
0-6 Months:
- Grasp objects placed in their hand.
- Start reaching for toys around 6 months.
- Hold items with both hands by 3 months.
- Hold items with one hand by 5 months.
- Attempt to recover dropped items.
6-12 Months:
- Put objects in their mouth.
- Develop a pincer grasp (the ability to deal with objects with their thumb and one finger) to pick up small items.
- Transfer objects from one hand to the other.
- Bang toys together.
- Begin pointing with their index finger.
12 Months:
- Drop objects into containers.
- Recognize items by size, shape, and weight.
Toddlers (1–2 Years)
- Picking up objects with their thumb and one finger.
- Moving items from one hand to the other.
- Stacking three blocks on top of each other.
- Turning the pages of a book.
- Starting to turn doorknobs.
- Using whole arm movements to paint and draw.
- Using utensils to eat, though not very efficiently.
- Drinking from a straw or open cup with minimal spilling.
- Completing a shape sorter without help.
Preschoolers (3-5 Years)
Age 3
- Holding a pencil with a tripod grasp.
- Cutting along a thick line and sorting objects.
- Making necklaces with macaroni or Cheerios.
- Beginning to use scissors.
Age 4
- Cutting simple shapes and completing simple puzzles.
- Drawing basic shapes.
- Holding a pencil between the thumb and forefinger like an adult.
Age 5
- Drawing, painting, and coloring.
- Learning to print and write in cursive.
- Buttoning and unbuttoning clothing.
- Quickly placing small objects in a bottle.
Kindergarten (5-6 Years)
- Holding a pencil between the thumb and index finger and moving it with fingers, not the wrist.
- Cutting out shapes with right angles, like squares and rectangles, as well as round shapes like circles.
- Folding a sheet of paper in half by lining up the corners.
- Tying shoelaces into a knot.
- Drawing horizontal lines, circles, and basic pictures.
- Stringing 2-4 beads on a line.
- Using safety scissors to hold and snip.
- Using a spoon and starting to use forks.
- Opening zip lock bags, lunch boxes, and other containers.
- Dressing and using the toilet independently.
Elementary Schoolers (7-8 Years)
- Forming letters and numbers accurately by age 6.
- Writing becomes fluid and controlled by ages 9-10.
- Drawing horizontal lines, circles, and profile figures.
- Cutting out complex shapes with angles and curves.
- Reproducing simple folds for origami.
- Starting to learn cursive writing by age 8.
- Playing hand-eye coordination games like jumping rope and catch.
- Improving coordination with activities like patty-cake.
- Opening zip lock bags and lunch boxes with ease.
- Using a spoon and beginning to show interest in forks.
- Using safety scissors to hold and snip.
I believe you saw the whole picture, now get to the point! Let’s know how we can help our kids to develop their fine motor skills.
How to develop fine motor skills in kids
1. Playdough Fun
Let your child play with playdough. They can roll it, shape it, and make different things. This strengthens the small muscles in their hands and helps them learn to control their movements.
2. Puzzles
Puzzles are great for kids! As they pick up and fit the pieces together, they improve their hand-eye coordination. Choose puzzles that match their age to keep it fun and challenging.
For more activities, see this recommended article: Winter Fine Motor Activities for Kids
3. Scissors Practice
Teach your child to use safety scissors. Start with simple activities like cutting along a straight line or snipping paper.
This helps them learn how to control their hand movements and boosts their confidence.
4. Sticker Time
Using stickers is a fun way for kids to practice their fine motor skills.
Have them peel stickers off the sheet and stick them on paper or other surfaces. This activity encourages careful movement and control.
5. Threading Beads
Get some beads and string for your child to thread. This activity is excellent for improving dexterity and hand strength.
You can also make patterns for them to follow, adding a fun challenge!
6. Arts and Crafts
Encourage your child to draw and colour. Provide different tools like crayons and markers.
This helps them learn how to hold writing instruments properly while being creative and expressing themselves.
For more activities, see this recommended article: Fine Motor Activities for Kids
Bonus: Cooking and Gardening
Involve your child in simple cooking or gardening tasks. Stirring ingredients or planting seeds helps develop fine motor skills and is a great way to spend time together.
These suggestions are based on the parents and professions of my circle, and it generally worked. However, I found some issues that negatively impact kids’ development nowadays.
Current Problems with Fine Motor Skills in Kids
Fine motor skills are really important for your child’s growth and success in school. However, some kids face challenges with these skills for several reasons:
Too Much Screen Time
Many kids spend a lot of time on tablets and smartphones.
While these devices can be fun, too much screen time can limit hands-on activities, which are essential for building fine motor skills.
Research shows that more screen time is linked to lower manual dexterity scores, which are important for writing and drawing.
Source: Fundamental motor skills, screen-time, and physical activity in preschoolers
Less Hands-On Play
Kids today might not play with crayons, scissors, or playdough as much as before.
This lack of manipulative play means they’re missing out on important practice for using their hands effectively.
Not Getting Early Help
Some children with disabilities may not have received the support they needed when they were younger.
Early help is essential for developing fine motor skills and addressing any challenges.
Signs Your Child May Need Support
Keep an eye out for these signs:
- Trouble holding or letting go of objects
- Difficulty catching a ball or coordinating their movements
- Struggles with tasks like tying shoelaces or buttoning clothes
- Messy or hard-to-read handwriting
- Challenges using both hands together for tasks
- Difficulty cutting paper or using scissors
If you notice any of these signs, it might be a good idea to find activities or support that can help your child improve their fine motor skills!
If you find any related in your kids, let me help you with some practical suggestions.
Solutions for Improving Fine Motor Skills in Kids
If you notice your child struggling with fine motor skills, there are several fun and effective ways to help them improve:
Do Hands-On Activities
Provide plenty of opportunities for your child to play with materials that require them to use their hands.
Activities like coloring, drawing, cutting with scissors, or molding playdough can help strengthen their hand muscles.
Research also shows that hands-on activities are the best way to develop fine motor skills
Source: Improving Motor Skills in Early Childhood through Goal-Oriented Play Activity
Limit Screen Time
Try to reduce the amount of time your child spends on screens.
Instead, encourage them to engage in activities that involve physical manipulation and creativity, like puzzles or building with blocks.
Play with Manipulatives
Toys like LEGO, beads for threading, or small action figures can promote fine motor development. These toys encourage kids to use their fingers and hands in precise ways.
Incorporate Daily Tasks
Involve your child in everyday activities that require fine motor skills. Tasks like helping with cooking (stirring, pouring), gardening (digging, planting), or sorting laundry (matching socks) can be beneficial.
Practirofessional Help
If you feel your child needs extra support, consider consulting an occupational therapist.
They can provide tailored activities and strategies to help your child improve their fine motor skills.
With these solutions, you can help them develop the fine motor skills they need for everyday tasks and academic success!
Conclusion
Fine motor skills are crucial for your child’s daily activities, like writing, drawing, and dressing. These skills help them handle tasks with their hands and fingers more effectively.
To support your child’s fine motor development, encourage them to engage in hands-on activities like coloring, playing with playdough, and using scissors. Also, try to limit their screen time and involve them in everyday tasks that require hand skills.
Watch for signs that they might be struggling, such as trouble with gripping objects or poor coordination. If needed, there are many simple and fun ways to help them improve.
With a bit of encouragement and the right activities, you can help your child build the fine motor skills they need to succeed and be more independent.
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)