Fine Motor Development

Too many people think fine motor development means the way a child holds and uses pencils, crayons, and scissors.  But fine motor development is much more.  To understand fine motor development it is important to understand a little about how the human body develops.

Human development progresses from the head down and from the trunk outward.  The torso and shoulders develop long before the elbow, the hips, the knees, and so on.  In other words, skilled use of one's hands and fingers is the last in a long process of development.

Fine motor development is enhanced early in life by many opportunities to develop and refine large motor skills.  It is developed by giving young children big pieces of paper and large crayons, allowing them to practice their movements.   We also help children's fine motor development through a variety of activities, such as working with play dough, constructing with Legos and Tinkertoy, stringing beads, doing puzzles, and playing with pegs boards and other table toys.

Such engrossing activities are better than tasks at which the child may "fail" or those that are very repetitive.  Through these fun, natural activities,  children improve their fine motor development without frustration or boredom.

Today the Tel Aviv children had the opportunity to remove corn kernels by pushing and pulling until they fell off  the cob.  Each child was very determined and focused as they removed each and every kernel from their piece of the cob.  They all enjoyed this small motor activity!   There was only one problem. Everyone was very disappointed when we out of the corn full of kernels. 

You should try this activity at home.  Once the corn is off the cob try sorting the  kernels according to there color or have your child create a fall collage with the kernels, glue and paper.  HAVE FUN!