Which activities are appropriate forms of fine motor play for preschoolers?
Fine motor skills involve the use of the smaller muscle of the hands, such as when doing up buttons, opening lunch boxes or using pencils or scissors. Fine motor skill efficiency significantly influences the quality of the task outcome as well as the speed of task performance. Efficient fine motor skills require a number of independent skills to occur simultaneously to appropriately manipulate the object or perform the task. Why are fine motor skills important?Fine motor skills are essential for performing everyday skills like self care tasks (e.g. clothing fastenings, opening lunch boxes, cleaning teeth, using cutlery) and academic skills (e.g. pencil skills of drawing, writing and colouring, as well as cutting and pasting). Without the ability to complete these every day tasks, a child’s self esteem can suffer and their academic performance is compromised. They may also be unable to develop appropriate independence in life skills (such as getting dressed and feeding themselves). What are the building blocks necessary to develop fine motor skills?
How can I tell if my child has problems with fine motor skills?If a child has difficulties with fine motor skills they might:
What other problems can occur when a child has fine motor skill difficulties?When a child has fine motor skill difficulties, they might also have difficulties with:
What can be done to improve fine motor skills?
What activities can help improve fine motor skills?
Why should I seek therapy if I notice difficulties with fine motor skills in my child?Therapeutic intervention for a child with fine motor skills difficulties is important to:
If left untreated what can difficulties with fine motor skills lead to?When a child has difficulties with fine motor shills, they might also have difficulties with:
What type of therapy is recommended for fine motor difficulties?If your child has difficulties with fine motor skills, it is recommended they consult an Occupational Therapist. What are fine motor activities for preschoolers?Examples Of Fine Motor Skills For Preschoolers & Toddlers. Cutting with scissors.. Holding and using a pencil.. Color, scribble, or draw with markers, crayons, or chalk.. Playdough manipulation.. Snapping together blocks.. Stacking blocks, small cups, buttons, wooden spools.. Building with small blocks.. What activities are good for fine motor skills?Fine Motor Strength Activities. Squeezing playdough or theraputty.. Making something out of dough, such as pizza or cookies.. Using syringes and eye droppers for art projects.. Picking up items with tweezers, clothesline pins, or kitchen tongs.. Using a hole puncher for art activities.. Engaging in origami.. |