For the last few weeks, I have been taking an online course on Visual Arts. Teaching art has always been one of my favourite things to do and I am really enjoying the work involved with this course.
One of the things that has been discussed and presented in the course is the link between fine motor skills and future academic achievement. We know that children learn through play and by manipulating the objects around them. As they build towers with blocks, they are learning lessons about gravity and balance. As they complete puzzles they are developing skills in matching. Besides having a good time while they manipulate these blocks and puzzles they are also exercising and developing their fine motor skills. Furthermore, while they move and develop those skills they are also improving cognitive areas of the brain too.
I have attached a PDF from the York Region Board of Education with some ideas of things that you may want to try at home with your child to help develop their fine motor skills. The important thing to remember is it doesn't matter whether they are stringing beads, dressing dolls or building train tracks. It's just important that they have plenty of opportunity to manipulate different objects in a variety of ways.
Fine Motor Activities
Teaching good pencil and crayon grip is important. Grips become automatic or habitual with repetition and become harder to change the older the child is. We are practicing proper grip and reinforcing it with songs and finger plays. Check out this video from MamaOT.com for ideas on helping your child hold a pencil or crayon correctly.
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