Small Hands, Big Impact: Exploring the Significance of Fine Motor Skills Activities

The small movements made with children's hands are a big deal! Crucial for everyday tasks, hands, wrists and fingers make things happen. Fine motor activity includes using and coordinating small muscles that control hands, fingers, and thumbs. There is no end to improving fine motor skills. However, they are a crucial component and indicator of a child's development and growth. Naturally, as children improve their fine motor skills, so does the development of their independence, eating, writing, dressing, play abilities, and more—essentially, central parts of their everyday lives. In addition, self-care and routine tasks are also better achieved by using fine motor skills, which can boost esteem and confidence through the simple achievement of these tasks.

Why is fine motor skill development important for children?

There are several reasons why fine motor skill development is essential for children:

1. Benefits for academic success: Fine motor skills are essential for many academic tasks, such as writing, drawing, and cutting. Developing these skills early on can help children perform better in school.
2. Benefits for daily life skills: Fine motor skills are necessary for many daily life skills, such as dressing, grooming, and feeding oneself. Developing these skills early on can help children become more independent and self-sufficient.

Example milestones per age (but not limited to):

6-12 Months	12-24 Months	2 years	3 years	4 years
Reaching for objects	Stacking blocks	String large beads	Build taller towers	Cutting along dotted lines
Pincer grasp (forefinger and thumb)	Turn pages	Hold a pencil/pen and attempt to draw	Manipulate materials such as clay and play dough	Imitates a variety of shapes in drawing
Transfer items from one hand to another	Clapping and pointing	Begin to show a hand preference	Use a non-dominant hand to assist in activities	Attempt pre-writing by copying letters and numbers
	Scribble and paint	Painting using arm and wrist movements		Get dressed by themselves
	Self-feeding with little assistance	Self-feed with no assistance

Our top 3 activities for toddlers to help fine motor skill development

If you want to give your child an extra edge when it comes to honing these fundamental abilities, there are several simple ways that you can help them improve fine motor skills at home without breaking the bank.

ACTIVITY	MATERIALS	SIMPLE SUGGESTION	BENEFITS
PLAY DOUGH	Bought or homemade playdough Shape-cutting tools, e.g. rolling pins, shape cutters, ice-cream sticks  Toys for imaginative play, e.g. toy cars, toy animals, etc.	Allow your child a bit of time to experiment with the playdough and its texture  Demonstrate flattening, rolling and stretching of the playdough for your child Give your child objects to make patterns in the playdough  Create imaginative play scenarios such as baking a cake or making faces out of the playdough	Great sensory experience  Good for creativity, muscle strength and fine motor skills
BEADING WITH STRINGS	Large beads Wool, string or fishing line depending on your child  Shoelaces Pipe cleaners	Show your children how to thread the beads onto the thread and sit back as they work on their creations  Tip: Start with a thicker, firmer sting to avoid mishaps the first time they try	Great hand-eye coordination  Increased self-esteem and confidence in handling small objects
PAINTING	Easy-to-grip brushes Washable paint Butchers paper  Plastic cup with water  Sponges (preferably cut out into shapes)	Allow your child to experiment with painting  Demonstrate simple shapes and allow them to mimic your drawing  Allow them to express their creativity!	Improve wrist and hand strength Improve hand-eye coordination  Learn to experiment, communicate and express themselves

At Young Academics, our experienced educators provide various activities that help children develop fine motor skills. For example, we offer opportunities for children to engage in sensory play. We also provide activities encouraging children to practise grasping, pinching, and manipulating small objects, such as building blocks and puzzles. Our educators work with each child to develop fine motor skills through drawing, cutting, and threading. By providing a supportive and stimulating learning environment, we help children build the skills they need to succeed in school and life. At Young Academics Early Learning Centre, we have various resources and facilities specifically designed to support the development of children's fine motor skills. This includes art materials, such as crayons, pencils, and paintbrushes, which children can use to develop their hand-eye coordination and grip strength. We also have play dough, sand, and other sensory materials that children can manipulate with their hands, helping to develop the muscles and dexterity in their fingers. Our centres also have a wide range of puzzles, building blocks, and other toys that require children to use their fine motor skills to manipulate and assemble. We also have outdoor play areas with equipment that helps children develop their upper body strength and overall coordination. Our experienced educators guide children through these activities, providing support and encouragement to help them build their skills and confidence, assisting children to become more independent, self-sufficient, and successful in all areas of life by incorporating fun activities that focus on developing fine motor skills. Just remember, small hands can have a significant impact!