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How to help your toddler develop fine motor skills
By admin | December 20, 2007
When it comes to using gross motor skills — things like walking, jumping, and running — your little dynamo probably doesn’t need much encouragement. But it’s equally important that she work on her fine motor skills — small, precise thumb, finger, hand, and wrist movements. That’s because they support a host of other vital physical and mental skills. “Stacking blocks, for instance, involves not just picking up the blocks, but knowing what to do with them and planning out the action,” says Gay Girolami, a physical therapist and executive director of the Pathways Awareness Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on physical development in Chicago.
How can you encourage your child’s fine motor skills? As any parent who’s ever heard “Me do it!” knows, toddlers don’t need much prodding to try new things. Of course, your child won’t be able to do everything she wants to right away. But with encouragement, support, and lots of time to learn, she might surprise you. So back off and let her try her hand at simple tasks, like getting dressed (she can start looping large buttons through buttonholes) and making breakfast (hand her a spatula, a slice of toast, and a jar of jam, and let her get busy). Remember, too, that variety is the spice of life, so mix things up once in a while. The activities below, for instance, will build on your child’s fine motor skills and help foster new ones.
Topics: childrens health |
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