The toddler years are the most fleeting, and children develop rapidly during these years. They are curious about the world and are constantly exploring, trying to be more independent as their coordination keeps improving. There are 2 types of motor skills: fine motor skills and gross motor skills. Using fingers, hands, and related small muscles refers to fine motor skills while using large muscle groups in the body involve gross motor skills.
Fine motor skills development in toddlers will help them hold, grip, grasp, and pinch, which will help them in their daily tasks. For instance, buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces, holding a pen, or using cutlery are all examples of fine motor skills. These skills help them look after themselves and autonomously perform tasks. These skills will allow them to eventually learn to write. Some studies suggest that the development of fine motor skills is associated with brain development, language proficiency, and literacy.
Each child is unique, and they all develop at their own pace. However, most achieve development milestones within certain age ranges. As early as 5 or 6 months old, babies start to grasp objects. Between 6 and 12 months, they start playing with handheld toys such as rattles. By 18 months or so, most of them will attempt complex tasks such as trying to use a crayon and drinking from a cup. By age 2, fine motor skills are far more practiced and advanced with children actively scribbling, opening jar lids, or turning doorknobs. By the time they reach preschool, which is around 5 or 6 years old, your child may show a preference for either one of their hands.
As parents, here are a few fine motor skills activities we can do to support their development:
1. Use Child-friendly Scissors
There are numerous budget-friendly booklets available that offer engaging scissor skills activities for children. These booklets include fun designs for children to cut out, helping them learn how to handle scissors by following lines and curves. This is one the best and most challenging finger dexterity exercises for toddlers. You can also create your own practice sheets by drawing basic shapes like circles, squares, or zigzag lines on paper for your child to cut along.
2. Cut And Paste
Once you finish cutting using child-friendly scissors, consider pasting them onto paper. This fantastic activity blends cognitive skills like creative thinking and problem-solving. Use any props at home such as tissue paper, sequins, or feathers to create beautiful artistic landscapes.
3. Play With Puppets
Playing with puppets requires hand-eye coordination and sparks lots of imaginative fun. There are plenty of online tutorials for making your own puppets from materials like old socks or paper bags. Your child can participate in creating the puppet and using it will be a wonderful activity to strengthen their hand muscles.
4. Use Active Sand
Active sand is a great substitute for the sand pit when you are indoors. It molds easily, and you can make a ton of creative shapes from it including caterpillars, circles, mountains, etc. Encourage your child to pinch the sand, dig their fingers in, punch and pull it into shape, and engage freely with the material. These activities will strengthen their hand and wrist muscles, improving their control and precision over time.
5. Brushing Teeth
Regular brushing will not only help ensure your child has a future of healthy teeth, but the act of handling a toothbrush significantly aids in developing essential fine motor skills. They learn to make strokes, turn the toothbrush, and clean it after use.
6. Toy Wash
Collect all your child’s toy cars, dinosaurs, and dolls that need a wash. Get some soap and an old toothbrush to create a fun washing game. Let your child scrub the toys clean using the toothbrush to reach all those nooks and crannies. This not only engages small muscles in their hands but also stresses the importance of cleaning and looking after your own things.
7. Buttoning And Unbuttoning
If you are looking for hand-eye coordination activities for toddlers, buttoning, unbuttoning, and even sorting buttons is a wonderful pick. Don’t ask your child to directly button a shirt they are wearing. Give them one that can be placed on a table, so they can focus on buttoning and unbuttoning with ease. You can then move onto having them button or unbutton the shirt they are wearing.
In Conclusion
Fine motor skills boost early childhood development by giving children control over their surroundings, promoting sensory stimulation, and independent exploration. Utilizing small muscle groups aids brain development and learning new skills, enhancing cognitive functioning. Thus, activities to develop fine motor skills also improve physical and mental awareness. Additionally, engaging in such activities provides a social boost. Picture groups of children threading beads, stacking blocks, or crafting together. These interactions foster connections and build friendships while children naturally develop their motor skills.
Each child is unique, as is their rate of development—a principle we hold dear at Dibber. Our mission is to encourage children to be the best versions of themselves while honoring their individuality. The activities mentioned are enjoyable ways to enhance dexterity, but don't hesitate to try other creative ideas, like dough making!
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