What are Fine Motor Skills?
Developing skills like tying your shoes, buttoning a shirt and holding a pencil are an essential milestone for children, building independence in school and in life. For those who struggle with these skills, occupational therapy may help them as they work to build their fine motor skills. Read on to discover how occupational therapy with Therapy Smarts can help build fine motor skills!
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What Are Fine Motor Skills?
Fine motor skills encapsulate the ability to move small muscle groups in the body, such as those in your hands or fingertips. These skills are foundational to numerous everyday tasks we perform, such as holding a pen or playing a musical instrument. While these skills gradually build over time as a child grows, certain developmental or neurological conditions may cause them to struggle with being able to use these muscles.
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Signs of Fine Motor Skill Delay
Wondering if a child may be struggling with a delay in fine motor skills? Some symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Difficulty using scissors, pencils, or crayons with control.
- Poor or awkward handwriting, spacing, or letter formation.
- Avoids drawing, coloring, or writing tasks.
- Trouble with buttons, zippers, tying shoelaces, or using utensils.
- Uses a fist grip instead of a functional pencil grasp.
- Tires quickly during fine motor tasks.
- Drops or fumbles with small objects frequently.
With the help of an occupational therapist, children can work to strengthen the muscle groups in their hands and fingers with tools like putty, or practice dexterity and control with small tweezers. They can also learn proper positioning for skills like holding a pencil. With consistent and engaging practice, kids can learn to utilize these muscle groups and have a greater influence on the world around them!
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.