You probably know that fine motor skills are closely linked to handwriting and that developing these skills will lead to your child writing neater and more legibly in class. However, the definition delves deeper as fine motor skills arealso needed for self-care activities (dressing or using cutlery) and leisure activities.
Fine motor skills call on the small and intricate muscles of the fingers and hand, to work together during writing. To develop fine motor skills, your child first need to have a stable core and strength in their shoulders, arms and wrists. Without this stable base, it will be difficult for them to use their hands in a controlled manner for writing.
Many people know that occupational therapists help to develop fine motor skills in children and will often get referrals from teachers to neaten up handwriting. It is easier said than done as fine motor skills comprises of many sub-skills working together. In order for a child to hold a pencil and write, they need to have the ability to use both hands, have sufficient trunk control, shoulder stability and hand strength, well-developed arches of the hand, the ability to isolate their fingers and forearm rotation.
1) The ability to use both hands (bilateral integration)
This refers to the ability of both hands to work on the same tasks but have different jobs. Aperfect example would be for the non-dominant hand to stabilize the page for better control while the dominant hand is holding the pencil and writing.
2) Having sufficient trunk control, shoulder stability and hand strength
Having sufficient trunk control enables the child to sit upright and not using the non-dominant hand to prop themselves up against the table and having shoulder stability ensures that the child is not using whole arm movements when colouring in. Sufficient hand strength is important as it allows the child to maintain a grasp for a longer period of time.
3) Well-developed arches of the hand
The arches enable the hand to lay flat, cup and adjust its shape around various objects as well as to allow the hand to move through various planes. It is important for a functional grasp of a pencil and for prolonging fatigue
4) The ability to isolate fingers
This is the ability to individually move each finger (one at a time) and it is needed for precision of the hand especially for tasks such as tying shoelaces, using a pecil and playing instruments.
5) Forearm rotation
Pronation is the downwards movements of the forearm that brings the palm down and supination is the upwards movement of the forearm that brings the palm up. This skills is important for handwriting as the hand is a pronated position.
Stay tuned next week as will be giving tips and activities to develop the five.
Have great week!
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