How to Improve a Child's Fine Motor Skills

Before your child tackles the intricate motor movements that she'll need to create a masterful piece of art, pluck the strings of a violin with grace or hand-sew a sweatshirt in her family and consumer sciences class, you'll need to help her build the basics. According to the University of Michigan Health System, a child's fine motor development should include the ability to use her hands to dress, play, write, draw, eat or complete other movements that involve the small muscles of the hands and fingers. Although your child starts using her fine motor skills on her own as an infant, you can help her along with a few strategic activities to improve her eye-hand coordination and dexterity.

Things You'll Need

  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Paper
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Blocks

Instructions

    • 1

      Start fine motor development activities with your child when he is an infant. Take advantage of your infant's growing ability to grasp objects, and give her a rattle or a similar toy to practice holding. Give your older infant the chance to practice his growing fine motor skills by stacking two blocks or taking items out of a container.

    • 2

      Continue fine motor activities as your child moves into the toddler years by providing your toddler with simple art items such as crayons, paper and finger paints to practice eye-hand coordination. Give your toddler board books to help her refine her dexterity by turning the pages.

    • 3

      Give your preschool-age child a wide array of hand and finger movement tasks and activities. Invite her to use crayons or markers to draw people or geometric shapes. Provide her with lined paper and an array of writing tools and help her to write the first letter of her name or a simple word.

    • 4

      Turn everyday tasks into opportunities to build fine motor development. Encourage your older infant or toddler to feed himself with his fingers, your older toddler or preschool-aged child to use a spoon and fork and have your grade-schooler cut his own meat with a knife and fork.

    • 5

      Provide plenty of manipulatives for your child to use daily. Offer age-appropriate toys such as puzzles, stacking blocks or shape sorter items that help her practice her hand-finger coordination skills.

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