Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are the abilities required to use the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists to perform precise and coordinated tasks. These skills involve hand-eye coordination and are essential for daily activities, particularly those requiring detailed movements.
These skills help children do things like picking up small objects, drawing, writing, feeding themselves, and getting dressed. Developing strong fine motor skills is essential for a child's independence and confidence in everyday activities, as well as for tasks they will need for school.
Examples:
- Grasping objects
- Using utensils (e.g., eating with a fork and spoon)
- Building with small blocks or Legos
- Puzzles or stacking objects
- Using a keyboard or a touchscreen device
- Tying shoelaces
- Buttoning clothes
- Zipping zippers
- Holding a pencil or crayon
- Writing letters or numbers
- Cutting with scissors