Why need this
Stimulate Hand Coordination
Your little cherub was (most likely) born with all the required parts, but they only slowly learn how to use them. Now that your baby has discovered its hands, they can start learning to use their hands and fingers to hold things, pick things up and manipulate small things. It is a good idea to give your little one exposure to toys that will help them develop their fine motor skills. Developing your fine motor skills will help with writing skills, become more independent with clothing (ability to work those little buttons) and the ability to grasp small objects.
Use it for
Practise With Toys and Play
Fine motor skills involve the use of the small muscles in hand, fingers and thumb. Being able to control your fine motor skills means that you will be able to perform important tasks like buttoning and zipping clothes, feeding yourself, writing, grasping small toys etc. It will build a child’s self-esteem once they are able to manage these tasks themselves. The small muscles develop over time by practising fine motor skills. It can be frustrating for a child if they are not able to complete the task themselves, so the more play-based practise they get, the better it is. Especially when children are going to school, they will need their fine motor skills. In child care and early learning, educators will provide opportunity for kids to develop their fine motor skills. You can also help your child by providing opportunities to practise yourself. There are many toys available that help with this.
Our Mum’s Tips
6 Things to Try When Struggling
When your child is struggling with its fine motor skills, there are many things you can do. Definitely give them more opportunities to practise. Especially when practise is play based, they will train their small muscles without even noticing. Sit down and play with them, that will make it extra special and something that your child will love to do. When you are really concerned about your child’s fine motor skills, please talk to your child health nurse or general practitioner [link to support]. They are always the people to turn to when you have concerns about your child’s development. Things that our mums did to help their kids develop their fine motor skills when they were struggling:
- Rice drawing – drawing with finger in rice
- Pegs – using pegs to pick up pom poms
- Play-Doh – pinching Play-Doh
- Threading – beads or pasta on a string
- Connect 4 – connect four of your coloured disk by dropping them in the holder
- Painting – finger painting or finger dot painting
Recommended Products
The Fine Motor Skill Toys That Our Mums Love
- Fine motor skills toys
- Construction toys – construction toys are especially good for fine motor skills. They require your child to precisely fit pieces together. This can be finicky which is going to train their small finger muscles. Examples of these toys are:
- Connectix /magnetic tiles
- Lego Duplo
- Play-Doh
- Constructable Toys – toys that you can take apart, some have screw drivers to loosen screws and take apart
- Other toys
- Construction toys – construction toys are especially good for fine motor skills. They require your child to precisely fit pieces together. This can be finicky which is going to train their small finger muscles. Examples of these toys are:
- Activities that help develop fine motor skills are most of the art and craft activities. These examples were given by our mums:
- Stickering – sticking stickers on pictures in activity books
- Water painting – making great art with washable paint
- Threading – big beads and string, but there are also shapes available for threading.
- DIY toys – instead of buying toys, you can also make things yourself. You will need some items, but most of these are easy to make.
- Sorting colours: pom poms, paddle pop sticks, buttons, whatever you have and put them in the right box.
- DIY screw on yoghurt pouch toy: collect different colours, cut screw on part from pouch and glue on a piece of cardboard, make sample patterns for bubs to make.
- Put pasta in a bottle
- Sensory play: water, sand and diggers.
For more ideas, follow these great insta channels: #playbasedlearning, #tigertimeplay or #busytoddler.
