How to Increase a Child's Dexterity

Dexterity is a motor skill associated with the hands. Babies cannot control their hands but as they develop, the dexterity increases with age as well as hand-eye coordination. Depending on the age of your child, you can do certain activities with them to help this process along. Follow these steps to help increase your child's dexterity.

Things You'll Need

  • Fat Markers
  • Lift-the-flap Books
  • Cupcake Papers or Pan
  • Clothes With Big Buttons
  • Dry Rice or Noodles
  • Paper
  • Rattles and Teething Toys

Instructions

    • 1

      Give a baby toys in the right and left hands. Rattles and teething toys are easy for a baby to hold. The child must be able to see the toy and their hand to make the hand work. Sit them up on your lap or in a high chair.

    • 2

      Let the child undress and dress themselves. As they get older, they will enjoy undressing and dressing by themselves. Give them clothing that can be easily pulled on and off and make sure to have big buttons.

    • 3

      Provide activities that are fun but will also increase dexterity. Lift-the-flap books are a great way for young children to increase dexterity. You can also have them trace large shapes such as circles, triangles and squares. Use fat markers because they are easier to use than a thin pencil.

    • 4

      Provide older children with more challenging activities. A great way to increase dexterity in an older child is to have them pick up dry rice or noodles with a set of tweezers and fill up empty cupcake papers or pans. These exercises help build those muscles in their hands while being fun at the same time.

    • 5

      Have the child write. Writing is by far the best way to increase dexterity. These small controlled movements will quickly increase dexterity and prepare the child for school.

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