Skip to Content

What Are Fine Motor Skills and Why Develop Them?

Sharing is caring!

I'll never forget my first day of teaching kindergarten in an inner-city school with struggling students, half of whom didn't speak English when they walked in my classroom. As I supervised students working at the art table, I noticed that none of my students were holding their scissors correctly. Later in the day, I watched as several children struggled to hold their pencil, grasping it as if they were holding a knife and stabbing their paper, while attempting to write their name. Besides the fact that they couldn't write their name, it was evident that my students had not spent time at home developing Fine Motor Skills in the most critical time period for them to develop. It was also very evident that I had my work cut out for me to catch them up and strengthen their little hand muscles.

What are fine motor skills? Why develop them?

What are Fine Motor Skills?

Motor Skills are divided into two categories: Gross Motor and Fine Motor. Gross Motor Skills are the coordination of movements that are required for large movements: crawling, running, jumping, throwing, climbing, etc. These are the skills that develop first. Fine Motor Skills are the coordination of movements that are required for small muscle movements: cutting, writing, opening water bottles, tying shoes, etc. Both sets of motor skills work together to help us function through our day, but fine motor skills are the more detailed of the two skills.

Why Develop Fine Motor Skills?

Do you really need to focus on Fine Motor Skills? Won't kids just pick up on them? To a certain extent, yes, kids will develop them as they go through life, but I'd argue that they might not be fully developed without some intentional practice. If we truly want to set up our children for success, I think it is important for us to set up opportunities for them develop.

Fine motor skills are important because they directly impact how well a child can write and cut paper.

writingI recently posted a picture on Facebook of my son's writing. A friend complimented his writing followed by the question, "How did you get him to write so well?!" Deep down I knew what she was asking; she wanted a formula for the same results. My answer: We developed fine motor skills before I ever expected him to write.

Need help with developing fine motor skills? Read these posts.

The Ultimate Guide for Developing Fine Motor Skills
Focus on Fine Motor Skills: Cutting
Focus on Fine Motor Skills: Lacing
Focus on Fine Motor Skills: Pinching
Focus on Fine Motor Skills: Tearing
Focus on Fine Motor Skills: Twisting
6 Tips for Correcting Pencil Grip
10 Ways to Boost the Power of Playdough
10 Favorite Toys for Fine Motor Skills
100 Household Items for Fine Motor Skills

Sharing is caring!

Easy Tips for Correcting Pencil Grip in Kids | Video Tutorials

Sunday 13th of June 2021

[…] What are Fine Motor Skills and why develop them? Developing Fine Motor Skills Series (10 posts with recommended activities & fine motor skills) The Ultimate Guide to Fine Motor Skills 100 Household Items for Fine Motor Skills 10 Ways to Boost the Power of Playdough Fizzy Fine Motor Skills Fun […]

Tracing Lines Busy Bag for Preschoolers | Happy Brown House

Wednesday 17th of April 2019

[…] Tips to Correcting Pencil Grip The Ultimate Guide to Developing Fine Motor Skills What’s the Big Deal About Fine Motor Skills Anyway? Fizzy Fine Motor Fun Pound the […]

DIY Fine Motor Tongs Made With Chopsticks | Happy Brown House

Tuesday 9th of January 2018

[…] Ultimate Guide for Developing Fine Motor Skills What Are Fine Motor Skills & Why Develop Them? Fizzy Fine Motor Skills Fun Favorite Toys for Fine Motor […]

The Ultimate Guide to Developing Fine Motor Skills | Happy Brown House | Happy Brown House

Monday 7th of April 2014

[…] What Are Fine Motor Skills and Why Develop Them? is a great place to start if you aren’t sure what fine motor skills really are or why they are important. […]

Crystal @ Serving Joyfully

Monday 15th of October 2012

This is such a confusing issue for me. Both of my sons 3 and 5, have the problems you describe w/ the incorrect pencil grasp. But, we've done tons of fine-motor exercises and they excel in all that stuff, but just still don't hold their pencils correctly. Now that we've started officially w/ school, my oldest is getting much better, since he's been coloring and writing on worksheets more, but this is a puzzling topic for me.

Sara

Monday 15th of October 2012

Thanks for asking Crystal! I plan on addressing that topic during the series, so I encourage you to subscribe if you aren't a subscriber already. :) As far as your 3 year old, I wouldn't worry too much yet. It is still early for him. I would focus a lot on pincer grasp activities. I would also use large crayons/pencils that are easier for little hands to hold. For your 5 year old, I would use a pencil grip that has the grooves for his fingers and encourages correct grip. I also would do hand-over-hand (you physically placing your hand over theirs to guide them.) That's a quick answer, but I hope that helps. Stay tuned for the rest of the series!