What are some examples of fine motor skills?
Fine motor skills are activities in which you use the small muscles in
your arms and wrists to make precise movements. They are different from gross
motor skills such as running and jumping, which involve larger muscles.
Examples of fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are essential for self-care activities such as:
- Dialing the phone
- Turning doorknobs, keys, and locks
- Putting a plug into a socket
- Buttoning and unbuttoning clothes
- Opening and closing zippers
- Fastening snaps and buckles
- Tying shoelaces
- Brushing teeth and flossing
- Bathing or showering
- Using the toilet
Fine motor skills are also necessary for cooking and eating, like:
- Picking up small foods like raisins
- Eating with a fork or spoon
- Opening and closing containers such as lunch boxes and zip-top bags
- Screwing and unscrewing lids
- Using a ladle, tongs, or a large spoon to take a serving of food
- Cutting food with a knife
- Spreading toppings like jam, mayonnaise, and butter
- Sprinkling spices
- Setting the table
- Pouring drinks and condiments like salad dressing and ketchup
- Scrubbing and peeling fruits and vegetables
- Stirring, mixing, and whisking
Fine motor skills are especially important for school activities such
as:
- Turning the pages of a book
- Coloring
- Drawing and painting
- Tracing
- Writing
- Cutting with scissors
- Pasting and gluing
- Measuring with a ruler
- Typing and using a computer mousepad
- Playing musical instruments
Children use fine motor skills during play, including:
- Shaking a rattle
- Stacking blocks
- Stringing beads
- Working puzzles
- Dressing dolls
- Playing with puppets
- Sculpting with clay
- Putting together train or car tracks
- Building with Legos or other construction toys
- Playing board games (rolling dice, moving small pieces, spinning spinners)
- Playing video games (using a joystick or other controller)
Fine motor milestones
Milestones are skills that children develop as they grow up. Most of
them learn fine motor skills at a certain age.
- 3 months. Your child does not
have much control over their hands. They can probably bring their hands to
their mouths. The hands of a newborn are often strongly clenched. Your baby's
arms begin to relax and open at 3 months. They may try to grab hanging toys and
may wave their hand in the direction of the toy.
- 6 months. Most children at
this age can put their hands together. They can usually reach objects with both
hands at the same time. At 6 months, your baby may be able to hold onto small
objects for a short time.
- 9 months. Babies can usually
put objects in their mouths and pass objects from hand to hand by 9 months.
Their hands are relaxed and open most of the time. Many children are beginning
to use the pinch grip. This is when they use their thumb and forefinger to pick
up small objects.
- 12 months. Most children will
drop things on purpose and will give you an item if you ask when they are one
year old. They can push two toys against each other, take objects from a
container and point at them.
- 18 months. Children this age
can often clap their hands, say goodbye, and draw with a pencil without
assistance. Your child may start drinking from a cup and eating with a spoon.
- 2 years. Most children point
to pictures in books and turn pages in pairs. Your little one can stack three
or four blocks into a tower.
When to talk to your child's doctor
Children develop at different rates. Some learn to eat with a spoon
earlier or later than others, and this is normal. Talk to your child's doctor
if you think your child is not reaching many milestones for his age group or if
you have concerns about his development. Your doctor can help you schedule an
examination with a specialist.
You can also call your local early intervention office for a free evaluation if your child is under 3 years old. Call your local public elementary school if your child is 3 or older. Tell them that you are concerned about your child's development and would like to be evaluated for preschool special education services. Taking early action can help your child get the support they need.
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