Children benefit from manipulating objects and materials in order to learn more about them or complete a task. Some examples of these skills are using locks and keys, using tools such a screwdriver to manipulate a screw, and using tongs or tweezers to pick up small objects such as pom poms or cotton balls. Several other activities to develop fine motor skills are tying shoe laces, as well as buttoning and zipping clothing.
Sensory activities assist in fine motor skills by incorporating hands on activities using the five senses. One example of a sensory activity is a mystery bag. Place several objects in a cloth or paper bag. Have children reach inside the bag and try to guess what the object is by feeling it with their finger tips. They can describe its attributes as they are making guesses. Another sensory activity is finger painting. Another hands on activity is to let children practice pouring water back and forth into different containers. If you don't have a sensory table, this might be a good activity to do outside to avoid any spills. A variation to this activity is to use rice or beans instead of water. An additional sensory activity is to pick up coins, count them and stack them in piles.
Puzzles are a fun game to practice fine motor skills. Children have to manipulate the pieces in order to find a match and complete the puzzle. Shape sorters are another way to maneuver pieces until you find an exact fit. Another game is to take a ball of silly putty and hide small objects or coins inside. Children can manipulate the putty until they find all hidden objects. Even snack time can become a game by picking up small finger foods such as little cubes of cheese or turkey and placing them on crackers or even toothpicks.
Arts and crafts are another hands on approach to enhance fine motor skills as well. One creative activity is to have children trace lines on paper using a marker, crayon or even their fingers. Coloring using markers or crayons is another way to practice holding the marker in the correct position. Provide beads or macaroni noodles to thread onto string or chenille stems. Modeling clay can be manipulated by rolling it into balls or rolling it out and cutting it with cookie cutters. Children can also use kid-friendly scissors to practice cutting straight lines or shapes out of paper. Lacing or sewing cards can be a fun way to practice threading strings into the small openings.
The important thing is to notice weaknesses early on. The more time a child performs these skills incorrectly, the more difficult it will be to improve. For example, if a child has learned to hold a pencil with an incorrect grip, it will be harder to change this habit. Always remember to be patient as your child is learning a new task. It will help her become more confident as she attempts new challenges in life.