Fine Motor Skills

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Fine motor skills involve the coordination of the small muscles of the fingers and hand in order to perform skilled and precise movements, such as threading beads, colouring with a crayon and doing up buttons. 

 

Fine motor skills include being able to reach, grasp, carry and voluntarily release an object.  It also includes in-hand manipulation, which allows you to manipulate an object after grasping it, and bilateral hand use where the two hands work together to carry out an activity.

 

Occupational therapists use games and toys in a directed and purposeful manner to develop fine motor skills. Children are so busy playing that they don’t realise that they are learning. For example, filling a spray bottle with coloured water and spraying the fence or path from left to right develops fine motor skills that can transfer to handwriting readiness skills.

 

Hand skills are vital to developing independence and being ready to work and play. These skills are used for activities ranging from closing the zipper on your school bag or pencil case, opening your lunch box and drink bottle, getting dressed after swimming lessons, tying your shoe laces.  The list is almost endless.

 

It is important to understand that not all students who have difficulties with fine motor skills will necessarily have difficulties with handwriting, and vice versa.   A professional assessment and a discussion with parents, carers or teachers will establish what skills your child has now and what they may need to master for future success. Goals and activities are chosen collaboratively and with an understanding of the child and the family’s interests and abilities.

 

The purpose of fine motor skills is to independently carry out ‘occupations’ or activities of daily living.  At Foundations for Learning an individualised assessment identifies your child’s strengths and challenges, and determines which skills need further development. Skills are taught using age-appropriate toys and games, which are chosen so that the child is engaged and successful. They are also selected for their relevance to developing school readiness and school success. It is important to act early for the best outcome.