Learning to accurately and effectively use the small muscles in their hands -- called intrinsic muscles -- is a critical life skill that prepares children to perform the many precise, manipulative tasks that are necessary to independent living. Encouraging your child to use his hand and finger muscles to pinch, twist, thread, open and close, turn, push and pull, pick up, grip, hold and screw and unscrew helps him develop the fine motor skills that will allow him to tie his shoes, buckle his belt, button his shirt, zip his jacket, turn the pages of a book, write his name, pick up his toys and someday use a computer keyboard, drive a car, cook a meal and perform all the other necessary tasks of adult life.
For example, toddlers start practicing threading by placing large rings on a post. They progress to stringing large wooden beads on pipe cleaners, then on boot laces. Beads and stringing materials become progressively smaller until school-age children are making jewelry by stringing small decorative beads on wire or fishing line.
There are many activities you can do with your children to develop and practice fine motor skills. Some of our favorites are listed below. (Please note that suggested activities are provided as a guideline and may not be appropriate for all children.)
- In addition to bead stringing, school-age children enjoy string games like cat’s cradle. Look for directions online. (String Games by Arvid Gupta shows how to play dozens of popular string games.)
