Fine Motor Skills | Supporting Children's Development

Supporting Children to Develop Fine Motor Skills

Understanding Fine Motor Development

Fine motor skills involve the coordination of small muscles in the hands and fingers with the eyes. These skills are essential for tasks such as writing, drawing, buttoning clothes, and later, keyboarding. Strong fine motor skills developed in early childhood provide the foundation for academic success and daily living skills.

Fine motor development follows a predictable sequence, beginning with gross motor control and gradually refining to precise finger movements. Activities that strengthen hand muscles, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop bilateral coordination are crucial for preparing children for future writing and keyboarding demands.

Play Based Experience 1

Playdough Creations

Provide playdough with various tools like rolling pins, cookie cutters, and plastic knives. Children can roll, pinch, squeeze, and manipulate the dough, strengthening hand muscles and improving dexterity. Add small objects like buttons or beads for children to press into the dough, developing pincer grasp essential for pencil holding.

Play Based Experience 2

Threading and Lacing Activities

Set up threading activities using large wooden beads and shoelaces, or lacing cards with colorful yarn. These activities develop hand-eye coordination, bilateral coordination, and the pincer grasp. Progress from large beads to smaller ones as children's skills develop, preparing them for the precise movements needed in writing.

Why Fine Motor Skills are so important?

Fine motor skills are the small muscle movements in your child’s hands and fingers that they use every day when playing, eating, or getting dressed. Activities like drawing, building with blocks, threading beads, or playing with playdough all help strengthen these muscles and improve coordination.

These early skills are the building blocks for handwriting. A strong pincer grip, good hand–eye coordination, and control of finger movements make it easier for children to hold a pencil, form letters, and write smoothly. By giving children lots of fun, hands-on experiences, you’re helping them develop the confidence and strength they’ll need for writing in the school years.

References

Case-Smith, J., & O'Brien, J. C. (2015). Occupational therapy for children and adolescents (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Dinehart, L. H. (2015). Handwriting in early childhood education: Current research and future implications. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 15(1), 97-118.

Lorina. (2025, January 5). 50 Fine Motor Skills Activities - Aussie Childcare Network. Aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au. https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/articles/teaching-children/50-fine-motor-skills-activities

Fine Motor Development Chart - Kid Sense Child Development. (2024, July 22). Kid Sense Child Development. https://childdevelopment.com.au/resources/child-development-charts/fine-motor-developmental-chart/