Fine Motor Development

"It takes time to build muscles in little hands."

GSRP students stretch rubber bands on geoboards to strengthen muscles for fine motor activities

Fine motor skills are the coordinated use of small muscles, specifically those in the hands and fingers.  Fine motor skills are used for movements such as grasping and pinching.  

In our ZPS early childhood classrooms and childcare students engage in daily fine motor activities to develop this critical skills as a foundation for writing, drawing, cutting, buttoning, lacing and zipping. Fine motor skills also contribute to developing hand-eye coordination

There are simple & fun ideas you may also wish to try at home to further develop your preschooler's fine motor skills.  For a collection of suggestions, you may wish to explore some of the activities found on ABC & 123: A Learning Cooperative.  There are also many ideas to be found by searching for Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers on Pinterest.

Other simple things you may want to try with things you likely at home already include:

• Playdough
• Finger Paint
• Sorting Loose Change
• Opening and Closing Plastic Zip Bags or Containers
• Legos
• Stringing Noodles or Yarn on Floss or Yarn
• Experimenting with Clothes Pins or Tweezers
• Pouring Dry Ingredients or Water between Containers

What have you tried with your child that you may like to share with other caregivers?

What questions might you have about fine motor development?

Please share your comments & questions!

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