Development of fine motor skill requires practice in manipulating fine, delicate objects. It is essential to the development of hand-eye coordination. The Mesa Community College Psychology Department recommends assisting a child with inserting a disc into a computer hard drive, or baking and decorating cookies. Other suggested tasks include building with blocks, threading beads or pasta and assembling puzzles. Allow the child to paint, color and manipulate play dough on a regular basis.
Arms, torso and legs are used to perform gross motor skill activities. These activities develop balance and coordination. Gross motor skills begin to develop in infancy when babies learn to hold up their heads. They then progress to controlling their arms, legs and torso. At 2 weeks old, a baby should be able to move his head from side to side. By 4 to 5 months, a baby has the ability to hold up his head and grasp objects. They should sit independently at the age of 8 to 9 months.
By the time a child reaches preschool age, she should be able to perform several tasks. These tasks should be practiced in toddlerhood. Children should frequently cut and paste paper objects, match objects, control a pencil or crayon, button shirts and zip zippers.
Children entering preschool should equally be adept at certain gross motor skills. Help your toddler develop these skills in preparation for preschool. They include running, walking a straight line, hopping, standing on one foot for five to 10 seconds, throwing a ball and walking backward at least 5 feet.
Motor skills are building blocks for nearly everything your child will do in life. It helps them academically, as well as physically. Proficiency in these skills can also raise a child's self-esteem. Improving these skills are as simple as involving the child in arts and crafts or taking her to a playground.