Fine motor skills are small, precise thumb, finger, hand, and wrist movements that require hand-eye coordination. Activities which improve the fine motor skills of children are very important for their development.These help them for practical life activities and also with writing when they start to school.
Here is a round up of some activities that we have done at home:
- Playing with Playdough: Not only it is a lovely sensory experience, but playdough gives children the opportunity to create things which is fabulous to strengthen their finger muscles.
- Let them help you in the kitchen.
- Children love playing with water. Take this opportunity to transfer water using a sponge.
- Improve cutting skills using craft foam and play with them in the bath.
- Use a salt tray to encourage "writing" in salt.
- Playing tap-a-shape.This is a great activity that combines practical life skills and encourages creativity.
- Experimenting with art: Using pasta shapes,lentils,beans,seeds etc. helps children improve their grisp.
- Playing with geo boards help children develop dexterity and promotes focus and concentration.
- Encourage them to make marks using vegetables,cars,paint brushes,sponges etc.
- Dry-pouring: Teach your child how to hold a child-sized jug to transfer beans from one jug to another. When they have mastered this skill, they can try transfering liquids (water) from one jug to another.
