Understanding Fine Motor Skills

Introduction

There are a lot of parts of our lives that we tend to forget about because of how simple they seem to be, regardless of their genuine importance or role in our lives. Such examples includethe good food we eat, the sights of the neighborhood we grew up in, and our friends. Another great example of something that I believe we tend to take advantage of is our fine motor skills. Fine motor skills help us do what we want to do, so why ignore their significance? 

Fine Motor Skills

To put it in simple terms, fine motor skills are movements that we make using our hands, fingers, and toes. They are small and exact movements.  In fact, the Associates in Pediatric Therapy discuss in a published article online that “Fine motor skills are one’s ability to control the use of the small muscles in the hand and fingers.” Typically, fine motor skills are developed from birth to adulthood, with the most noticeable progress occurring around toddlerhood and the preschool years, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Here are some examples of different fine motor skills that will be found in  different age groups:

Infancy: (0-12 months) 

• Babies begin to shake or bang toys.

• Babies might bring their hands to their mouths.

• Babies begin to develop pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) and can release objects voluntarily. 

Toddlerhood/Preschool: (2-5 years)

• Children can turn pages in books.

• Children can start snipping using scissors. 

• Children can hold a pencil more accurately, draw basic shapes, and cut along a straight line. 

School Age and Beyond: (5+)

• Most children can use writing utensils with ease.

• Children can tie their shoelaces. 

• Children can use zippers and buttons. 

The Importance of Fine Motor Skills in Children

It is of utmost importance that fine motor skills are developed during childhood and that a child is able to reach each milestone at its appropriate age, not only because fine motor skills allow independence in daily life, but also because it enables academic success and cognitive growth. They allow precise hand movement and finger movements for many everyday tasks, including cutting, dressing, writing, and many more! With fine motor skills, children can form a strong foundation for self-care and self-esteem, as they are able to complete home and school tasks with strong fine motor skills, according to Kids First Services. 

Fun Fact: A baby’s eye movement and coordination counts as a fine motor skill! It is an early fine motor skill that builds the foundation for hand-eye coordination needed for later complex tasks. (Edutopia) 

How to Improve Fine Motor Skills in Children

Now that we’ve established the importance of fine motor skills, how can we improve them in children in simple and appropriate methods? Firstly, it’s important to remember that each child is different, and factors such as home environment, age, and area of struggle are all topics to take into consideration when looking into how improvement can be made. Some ways to help a child improve their fine motor skills include:  

For Infants:

• Tummy time 

(This allows the development of control and posture to blossom and provides stability for both hands and fingers.) 

• Exposing the baby to different and rich environments 

• Getting close to the baby’s face safely (This lets the child see your face and will improve their visual skills.) 

• Incorporate different senses into your time working with the child’s fine motor skills

For Children: 

• Occupational therapy 

• Finger painting 

• Molding and playing with Play-Doh

What To Do If You Have Concerns

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the first step is to consult a doctor or pediatrician for an evaluation. Afterwards, the person could start seeing an occupational therapist for targeted intervention, or you can support their development at home with different fun activities appropriate for the person you are trying to help, like stringing beads, drawing, and painting!

Fun Fact: Your mouth and tongue use fine motor skills to say sounds such as “P” and “M!” (Pathways)

Final Thoughts 

Our fine motor skills help us live the lives that we do! Without them, doing basic, daily activities would be near impossible. This was a very fun one to write, and I hope you guys enjoyed it! Thank you as always, and stick around for the next one!