Practicing Fine Motor Skills

Teachers of young children understand the importance of fine motor skills and how to develop those abilities in their students. Fine motor skills also aid in children’s mental development, so they are excellent learning opportunities.

What are fine motor skills? They are small, refined movements that involve hand-eye coordination in the wrists, hands, fingers, feet, and toes. While adults often take these movements for granted, young children can find these actions difficult, so it’s important to help children practice.

Below you’ll find exercises and activities young children can do at home and in the classroom to fine-tune their fine motor skills.

HANDS, WRISTS, AND FINGERS

• Hold and use pencils and crayons.
• Color inside lines.
• Cut with scissors.
• Paste objects.
• Circle answers.
• Color objects.
• Trace shapes, letters, numbers, and objects.
• Write numbers, letters, and words.
• Draw pictures.
• Draw in sand or dirt with pointer finger.
• Complete puzzles.
• Build with blocks.
• Open bags and containers.
• Use fork, spoon, and knife.

FEET AND TOES

• Point and flex toes.
• Draw in sand or dirt with feet and toes.
• Pick up objects using feet. Objects may include scarves, small beanbags, or sidewalk chalk.
• Walk heel and toe down a straight line.
• Play hopscotch.
• Walk on tiptoes across the floor.
• Walk on heels across the floor.