Fine motor skills are the small movements that children need to make in order to accomplish tasks. These include picking up small objects, writing and drawing, buttoning clothes and other activities that require control over their fingers.
Fine motor skills are important for many reasons: they help prevent injury, give children opportunities to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and teach them how to work independently.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Sensory toys can help children develop fine motor skills. |
| Sensory toys provide opportunities for children to practice gripping, grasping, and manipulating objects. |
| Sensory toys can improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity. |
| When choosing sensory toys, consider your child’s age, interests, and developmental needs. |
| Sensory toys can be used to support the development of gross motor skills as well. |
Start With Interesting Textures
Start with interesting textures. Try out different materials and see what they like. Some of the most popular sensory toys include:
- Play-Doh
- Googly eyes
- Foam shapes
- Sandpaper
- Bottle caps and lids
Let them explore different materials to encourage fine motor skills, such as by building towers or creating a tactile puzzle.
Looking for ways to improve your toddler’s gross motor skills? Our guide on sensory play for building gross motor skills offers tips and suggestions for incorporating sensory toys into your child’s playtime to encourage physical development.
Play With Ribbons And Scarves
- Play with ribbons and scarves.
- Use them to tie up a gift (or just something you want to play with).
- Make a tent: Drape the material over a chair or table and then use it as a play space for your child.
- Make a puppet: Choose some things that are either found objects or can be easily made into puppets (like paper plates) and let your child run wild! You might even want to make one too 🙂
Work With Beads
Beads are a great way to encourage fine motor skills. They can be used to count, and they make bracelets, necklaces, keyrings and jewellery.
To use beads for counting:
Show your child how to place the bead on their fingers by demonstrating how you place them on yours.
Practice counting with the beads in groups of five or ten until your child gets the hang of it. This will help them understand how numbers relate to each other through visual representation!
Prop Up A Book And Read Together
If you have a small child, they may not be able to hold up a book at their level. You can help them by propping the book up with something like a pillow or stack of books. You can also sit next to them and prop the book on your legs for them to see better.
A lot of children learn how to read by hearing stories being read aloud, so find a comfortable position for you both that allows for close proximity and get ready for some good old fashioned bonding time!
Choosing the right sensory toys for your child can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Our guide on sensory toys for toddlers: how to choose the right ones for your child provides helpful advice on factors to consider when selecting sensory toys that will best support your child’s developmental needs.
Try Edible Snacks
You might be surprised by how creative you can get with edible snacks. You can use foods that are normally eaten, such as crackers or cookies, to make shapes and patterns. Another option is to create treats from scratch using ingredients like fruit purees and peanut butter.
If you don’t want to make your own treats, there are many options available in shops like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods that include fun ways of encouraging fine motor skills through the use of food items!
For example:
Instead of regular popcorn for movie night, try pretzel rods instead! They’re easy for kids to hold and come in different colors and flavors so they’ll be excited about eating them too!
Buy some mini muffins (like blueberry ones) then cut them into small pieces so they look more like bites—this way they’ll last longer without spoiling too quickly!
Motor skill development is a crucial aspect of a child’s growth, and sensory toys can play an essential role in supporting this process. Learn more about the importance of sensory toys for motor skill development and how they can help your child build the physical abilities needed for daily tasks and activities.
Introduce Water Play
Water play is a great way to get kids moving. It’s also a good way to teach them about the world around them. Water play teaches children about colours and shapes, as well as their own bodies.
For example, you can use water balloons and squirt guns for a game of “tag” or let your child experiment with different kinds of water toys such as faucets or sprinklers.
Here are some fun ways you can incorporate sensory toys into your child’s learning environment:
Let Them Use Their Senses In The Garden Or On A Nature Walk.
Nature walks. Take them out to a nearby park and let them explore the world around them with their senses.
The kitchen. Let your child help you cook and play with the food, letting their sense of touch come into play as they mix ingredients, stir batter, and roll out dough for cookies or pizza crusts.
Toys that encourage fine motor skills. Your child may be able to manipulate small objects like building blocks or puzzles that require fine motor control to place together correctly!
Table of Fine Motor Skill Development Milestones by Age
| Age | Fine Motor Skill Milestones |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Reaching for and grasping objects, bringing hands to mouth |
| 6-12 months | Picking up small objects, banging objects together, using pincer grasp |
| 12-18 months | Scribbling with crayons, stacking blocks, turning pages in a book |
| 18-24 months | Stringing beads, imitating drawing lines and circles, feeding self with utensils |
| 2-3 years | Drawing simple shapes, building towers with small blocks, dressing self with assistance |
| 3-4 years | Drawing more complex shapes, cutting with scissors, using utensils independently |
Make A Treasure Box Full Of Mystery Items
Make a treasure box. A treasure box is a container filled with fun items that you can use to play games and encourage fine motor skills development. You can make your own treasure box or buy one from a store.
Make sure the items in the treasure box are safe for children to play with, like plastic coins, feathers, or small plastic animals.
Hand-eye coordination is a vital skill for children to develop, and sensory toys can be a fun and effective way to encourage this ability. Check out our guide on sensory toys for hand-eye coordination for ideas on toys and activities that will help your child hone this important skill.
Use Colours To Give Their Eyes A Workout
Use colours to give their eyes a workout.
As you will know, the colours of toys can help children learn about the world around them and encourage them to practice their fine motor skills. So, if your child is having trouble with these skills, use colours in playtime!
Get Them Moving With Fidget Toys And Stress Balls
Fidget toys are a great way to help kids focus. They can help with anxiety, ADHD and autism, and they’re often used to help kids with sensory processing issues.
Kids who have trouble sitting still will benefit from fidget toys because they can be used anywhere – at home, in the classroom or on the go – to keep hands busy when they feel like something is missing.
Fidget toys also allow kids to express themselves while they work through their feelings by creating a sense of calm that allows them to concentrate more easily.
Set Up Some Arts And Crafts Activities
There are a lot of reasons why DIY projects are awesome for kids. The first is that as you’re working together, your child can help you with the project, which will give them a sense of pride in what you’ve done together.
It also helps to keep costs down since all the materials are already on hand and don’t have to be purchased at the store. You’ll need something like dish soap or vinegar (depending on what kind of project your kids are doing) along with some food coloring and water if you want to get fancy!
If your kid loves sensory play, then this is great opportunity for them because they can explore different textures and how they react when mixed together in water or poured onto other surfaces like paper towels or newspapers.
Finding the right toys for your infant or toddler can be a challenge, but sensory toys are an excellent option for supporting their development. Our guide on the best sensory toys for infants and toddlers offers suggestions on toys that will engage your child’s senses and promote their cognitive and physical growth.
Conclusion
If you’d like to try out a lot of these ideas, you can find them in our Sensory Toys For Fine Motor Skills guide. It covers all the different types of toys and activities that are great for encouraging development.
| Tips for Choosing Sensory Toys |
|---|
| Consider your child’s age and developmental needs. |
| Look for toys with a variety of textures and sensory experiences. |
| Choose toys that align with your child’s interests and preferences. |
| Consult with your child’s pediatrician or occupational therapist for guidance. |
| Don’t be afraid to try DIY options or create your own sensory toys at home. |
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on sensory toys and fine motor skill development:
Sensory Toys for Toddlers: What You Need to Know: This article provides an overview of the benefits of sensory toys for toddlers, as well as tips for selecting the right toys for your child’s needs.
Fine Motor & Sensory Tools for Phonics Activities: This blog post offers creative ideas for incorporating sensory tools and fine motor activities into phonics lessons to engage young learners.
The 7 Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills of 2022: This article reviews the top toys and tools for promoting fine motor skill development in children, with options for different age ranges and interests.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about sensory toys and fine motor skill development:
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys designed to engage a child’s senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell) and promote exploration and discovery. They often feature textures, colors, and other sensory elements that stimulate the senses and encourage play.
How do sensory toys help with fine motor skills?
Sensory toys can help develop fine motor skills by providing opportunities for children to practice gripping, grasping, and manipulating objects. By engaging in play with sensory toys, children can improve their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and control of their hands and fingers.
What are some examples of sensory toys?
Examples of sensory toys include squishy balls, textured blocks, water beads, play dough, fidget toys, and sensory bottles. These toys can be made from a variety of materials, including foam, plastic, fabric, and wood.
What are fine motor skills?
Fine motor skills refer to the ability to control and coordinate the small muscles in the hands and fingers. Activities that require fine motor skills include writing, drawing, buttoning clothing, using utensils, and manipulating small objects.
How can I choose the right sensory toys for my child?
When choosing sensory toys, it’s important to consider your child’s age, interests, and developmental needs. Look for toys that are appropriate for your child’s age range and offer a variety of textures, colors, and sensory experiences. You can also consult with your child’s pediatrician or occupational therapist for guidance on selecting the right toys for your child.
Meet Hellen James, the multi-talented writer and nurturing mother who takes young readers on a thrilling journey through her sensory-infused blog. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a parent.
