Articles
Fine motor skills
Melanie Goulet - Senior Therapist, B.A.
What are fine motor skills and why are they important in my child's development?
Fine motor skills are activities that require you to use the small muscles in your hands in a controlled manner. Activities such as grasping a penny or a button (small objects), holding a pencil with the proper grip, using scissors, everyday self-help skills such as butting your shirt, tying your shoes, and zipping up your coat. Fine motor skills are an important aspect to everyday life, which can also directly affect a child's self-esteem and school performance.
How can I improve my child's fine motor skills?
Improving fine motor skills through various activities such as the following will help your child gain more control over their small hand muscles. Here's a list of activities you can try with your child and remember to make it fun.
Opportunities to experience a wide range of activities that compel children to learn new fine motor skills and practice newly acquired ones, will allow children to increase their level of competence in the many different areas where they will need coordination and dexterity to express their ideas. We have fine motor kits available to purchase at the clinic in order to make it easy to provide children with basic and functional activities to improve their fine motor abilities.