Fine motor skills are finger and hand skills such as writing, cutting, opening lunch boxes, and tying shoelaces. The development of these skills relies upon the age appropriate development of physical skills (such as core trunk control and shoulder strength) providing the stable base from which the arm and hand can then move with control.
2 years old
- Holds crayon with thumb and fingers pointed towards the paper
- Imitates vertical lines
- Places circle, square, and triangle in puzzle board
- Builds tower with 4 to 6 blocks
- Snips with scissors
3 years old
- Imitates horizontal lines, cross, and circle
- Puts together simple puzzles
- Strings small beads
- Cuts on a wide line with scissors
- Unbuttons large buttons
- Builds tower of 9 blocks or more
4 years old
- Can copy a square and diagonal lines
- Cuts a circle and square with scissors
- Spreads glue on paper and sticks it to another paper
- Can draw a stick person
- Has a clear hand preference
5 years old
- Grasps a pencil correctly
- Draws a picture of at least 3 objects
- Cuts more complex shapes
- Begins to print their name
Tips to Promote Development
| Arts & Crafts There’s a good reason that preschool is often filled with arts and crafts – this is great for kids’ fine motor development! All that tearing, gluing, stringing beads, and lacing is so important to develop strength & dexterity. Tactile Play It is really beneficial for kids to participate in play that gets their hands messy. Digging in sand, finding toys in shaving cream, and finger-painting all help children develop their tactile system, which helps them better control fine motor movements. Proximal Strengthening Strengthening shoulder and arm girdle muscles helps provide stability for fine motor movements. Games like wheelbarrow walking, crawling through tunnels, climbing, and playing tug-of-war all help with this skill. Hand Strengthening Activities that involve squeezing and pulling can also help strengthen hand muscles. Playing with spray water bottles, sculpting play dough, and building with Legos are activities that are both fun and useful! |
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