Fine motor skills---the precise, detailed movements necessary to stack blocks, string beads, cut with scissors and dress/undress---can affect a child's ability to succeed in school. Since the signs of underdeveloped fine motor skills are often more subtle than those indicating problems with gross motor skills, which include kicking or running, parents and doctors might miss them until a child starts school. Paying attention to your child's fine motor skill development and encouraging it using developmentally appropriate games and activities can help ease your child's transition to school.
Significance
Children who write slowly and laboriously might fall behind their classmates and struggle with self-esteem problems related to their handwriting. While Medline Plus states that most children learn fine motor control through a combination of time, experience and knowledge, underdeveloped skills can cause your child to struggle during the early, critical months of the school year.
Identification
Fine motor skill deficits in babies and toddlers can be difficult to identify, according to S. Sutton Hamilton, an assistant professor of family medicine at Blackstone Family Practice Residency of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Parents, teachers and even doctors sometimes identify these children as "clumsy" and might fail to appreciate the impact underdeveloped motor skills can have on a child's school success. Some "red flags" for fine motor problems in older toddlers and preschoolers include a lack of hand preference or dominance and an inability to hold pencils or crayons with a mature grasp. A child with underdeveloped fine motor skills might also move his entire hand when writing or coloring and appear overly tired when finished.
Time Frame
The Learning Disabilities Association of America suggests watching for various age-related milestones to help ensure that your child's fine motor development is on track. By age 1, he should pick small objects up in a pincer grasp composed of his thumb and one finger. At age 1 or 2, he should be able to build a tower of two to three blocks and scribble with a crayon. Children ages 2 and 3 can usually string beads, snip with scissors and hold a crayon between their thumb and fingers rather than in their fists. Those ages 3 and 4 should be able to copy a circle and imitate a cross. By ages 4 and 5, children usually write some capital letters. Children who are 5 and 6 should be able to use an adult pencil grasp and write the numerals 1 to 5.
Considerations
Children with fine motor deficits often avoid activities that develop these skills---such as writing, coloring, stringing beads or manipulating small blocks. They might even indicate they dislike these activities and make statements such as "I hate coloring" or "I hate writing." While a disdain for these activities might indicate personal preference, parents should take note if a child dislikes all fine motor activities. Ask your child to perform a couple of fine motor tasks, such as cutting out some shapes or drawing a picture, so you can judge whether he struggles with the activity.
Warning
While most children can overcome fine motor deficits with practice, others might need professional intervention to improve their fine motor skills. If your child fails to develop a proper pencil grip, even after several months of consistent practice and exposure, or struggles to write legibly, talk to your pediatrician about an evaluation. If your child needs professional help, an occupational therapist can work with him to improve his hand strength and coordination.
Prevention/Solution
Give your child plenty of opportunities to develop her fine motor skills. Try letting her help you cut out coupons, then allow her to choose a coupon to use to buy a special snack or treat. Encourage your toddler to practice dressing and undressing a favorite toy or doll. Let preschoolers and toddlers practice rolling, cutting, squeezing and manipulating modeling clay. Children of all ages might enjoy threading pasta or small o-shaped cereals onto a piece of yarn to make a necklace.
