Fun with Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists.

We rely on these muscles to complete everyday tasks like; eating our food, brushing our teeth, tying a shoe lace, holding a pen, controlling the stroke of a paint brush, typing on a keyboard or even cutting with a scissor. Ability to carry out these tasks requires a coordinated effort between the brain and muscles and are built on the gross motor skills that let us make bigger movements, like running or jumping.

Developing these fine motor skills in children is necessary at an early age to help them grow with confidence, make them independent and socially adaptable. These skills will also help them in exploring their creative skills and make the most of their learning from the world from play and people.

How do you develop these skills? Obviously, by involving children in tasks that stimulate the particular muscle group. At every Waldorf school we develop these fine motor skills by engaging children in meaningful activities from start to finish………here is an example (in pictures) of how the children sat together, peeled the cobs, de-seeded them, boiled the kernels to enjoy a sumptuous salad as a mid-day meal.