Fine Motor Skills

Developing Manual Dexterity Skills.

Manual dexterity is a skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands. It includes the precise movement of small muscles in the hands and fingers in coordination with the eyes. It is especially important for effective handwriting, dressing (in manipulating buttons and zips), using cutlery, and playing. 

It isn’t necessary to spend a lot of money on buying expensive toys that promote the development of manual dexterity skills. You’ll find many everyday household items that will do just the job (and children are more than happy to engage with them!). The following is a list of items you may have around the house that children can use to develop the muscles in their hands:

Items:	Activities:
Empty spray bottles (e.g. household cleaning products). Ensure bottles are cleaned thoroughly before use.	Water the plants, trees and flowers around the garden or in your home Draw shapes on an outdoor wall with the spray bottle Use chalk to draw outdoors, then spray the chalk to erase the pictures Hairdressing day for dolls: sit the dolls on chairs and spray their hair before brushing it Cleaning day: spray tables or counters and toys with water and wipe them down with a dry rag Art activity: mix poster paint and water in a spray bottle (use 3-4 bottles to make different colours). Hang a large sheet of paper outdoors and use the spray bottles to create art.
Empty containers (e.g. shampoo bottles):	Place a target on an outdoor wall. Fill an old shampoo bottle with water and encourage your child to try and hit the target by squeezing the bottle and shooting water at it. Use empty bottles in the bath to collect and spray water.
Sponges: (squeezing and wringing sponges helps develop muscle strength in the hands and fingers)	Take 2 containers – fill one with water and leave the other empty. Have your child use a sponge to soak up the water from one container and squeeze it into the other container. Use a small wet sponge to write letters on a blackboard (this is a fun multi-sensory activity for developing handwriting skills). Use sponges in the bath for washing. Use sponges to give dolly a bath.
Household tongs or toy tweezers: (use smaller tongs for smaller hands!)	Fill a bucket or dish with water. Add ping pong balls, toy animals, or Christmas baubles and encourage your child to retrieve them using the tongs. Make household chores fun by picking up laundry with tongs and placing them in the laundry basket. Create a treasure hunt: make a list of items found around the house or in the garden for your child. Encourage him/her to pick up everything using kitchen tongs.
Cooking and baking	Get your kiddo involved in cooking and baking: stirring, kneading, whisking, mixing, and opening/closing jars and bottles strengthen little hands and fingers.