The importance of developing fine motor skills in childhood

Fine motor refers to the group of skills involved in the small movements of the hands and fingers. It is important for children to develop fine motor skills in order to achieve everyday tasks such as feeding themselves, getting themselves dressed and brushing their own teeth.

Children begin to acquire these skills from birth; however, it is becoming more apparent that children are starting school with underdeveloped fine motor skills.

Maggie Dent, an author, educator and parenting specialist has been expressing the importance of both gross and fine motor skills in young children for years. A 2019 article by Maggie Dent on the need to prioritise play in children, expresses the concern with children’s ability today, compared to other generations. The article outlines four key areas of concern.

1.      Underdeveloped gross and fine motor skills

2.      Lower oral vocabulary

3.      Issues with self-regulation

4.      Inability to play with other children.

‘The Australian Early Development Census from 2018 showed that there is a national average of 21.7% of our 5-year-olds who are turning up with significant developmental vulnerabilities.’ (Dent, M. 2019)

The article suggests that our modern way of living, with technology, schedules and lack of spontaneity are contributing factors. So how can we help our children? We can incorporate fine motor skills into our everyday lives.

Activities you can do at home to help your child with fine motor skills.

1.     Help with meal preparation – spreading with a knife, cutting, using a rolling pin, cracking an egg

2.     Writing, painting and drawing

3.     Creating using playdoh or putty

4.     Helping with the washing - pegging items on the clothesline, folding clothes

5.     Using scissors to cut paper

Leap Street understands the importance of developing fine motor skills before starting school and we incorporate these skills into all our programs. Fine motor development provides children with the skills to become independent and gain confidence in their ability. These skills are essential for learning success.

Read the full Maggie Dent article here

If you would like to learn more about how Leap Street can help your child with fine motor development please contact us or click here to view our programs