Fine Motor Skills — Small Hands, Big Possibilities | Sweet Waters OT
For Parents
Fine Motor Skills
Small Hands, Big Possibilities
What are fine motor skills?
- Fine motor skills involve the small muscles in the hands, fingers and wrists. These skills help children grasp, hold, manipulate and control small objects — and are essential for everyday activities such as dressing, feeding, playing and, later, writing.
By Grade R, children should be developing towards:
- A stable pencil grasp
- Controlled hand movements
- Ability to use scissors
- Build and copy simple shapes
- Threading, beading and using small objects
- Independence with buttons, zips and dressing
- Greater hand strength and endurance
- Ability to sit and complete a table-top task
Fun activities to try at home
- Playdough
- Threading & beading
- Cutting practice
- Pegs and clips
- Building & construction
- Everyday tasks
- Art & crafts
- Puzzles
- Sorting small objects
- Play with nature
Little hands do BIG things! Everyday play builds important skills — be patient, every child develops at their own pace.