Foundations of Fine Motor Skill Development
Fine motor activities for children are the best way to ensure proper development and practice of fine motor skills to promote the most functional use of a child’s hands. There are multiple components that can help with the development of fine motor skills such as: Upper body and core strengthening activities.
Adequate fine motor control needs to have a good base to work from. That base is our body! A strong core and shoulder girdle are both needed for fine motor control. Below are examples of activities to target core and/ or shoulder girdle stability:
Color/ draw on vertical surface (tape paper to the wall or use an easel)
Wheelbarrow walk races (adult holds the child's legs while they “walk” on their hands)
Animal walks
Crab walk: In a squatting position, reach backwards with your arms and put both hands flat on the floor behind you. Raise up bottom until your head, neck, and body are in a straight line. Move forward, backwards, or sideways.
Bear walk: Bend forward to place hands on the floor while keeping your weight on your feet. Move your right hand and right foot at the same time. Move left foot and left hand at the same time.
Snake walk: Lay on your stomach on the floor. Bend your elbows and keep your legs straight. Move yourself forward with your elbows while your legs slither.
Frog walk: Squat down with your hands in-between your knees. Push off with your feet to spring forward.
Complete activities laying on your stomach with your head propped up (coloring, playing with toys, etc)
Ball on a wall: While standing or kneeling use both hands to move the ball up the wall and back down
Chair push-ups or wall push-ups
Keep the balloon up using either your hand or a pool noodle work on keeping the balloon above your head / in the air
Yoga ball walk outs: Roll over it on your stomach and walk out on your hands
Targeted throwing activities on your belly or standing: switch between over and under hand throw to a target
Written by Kelsey Conlon MS, OTR/L