The Little Movements
The wrist, hand and fingers are so important when it comes to activities that children do. Think of how an infant learns about an object - they touch it, they take it apart, they put in back together, they pull it, squeeze it, rub it, pinch it...... Then think of all the activities a child does during a typical day - holding a spoon, clasping a button, scribbling with a crayon, cutting with scissors, opening a milk carton...... Fine motor skills are what makes all of it happen.
There are two prerequistes to fine motor skills: 1. core strength (being able to stabilize proximal to allow for hand and finger movements) and 2. good sensory processing skills (to have an awareness of where and how fingers move in space, as well as accurate judgements of hand strength needed to manipulate objects of different sizes, weights, shapes and textures).
There are two prerequistes to fine motor skills: 1. core strength (being able to stabilize proximal to allow for hand and finger movements) and 2. good sensory processing skills (to have an awareness of where and how fingers move in space, as well as accurate judgements of hand strength needed to manipulate objects of different sizes, weights, shapes and textures).
"Fine Motor Skills" is the term used to described activities performed by the small muscle groups - primarily the muscles of the hand. To understand how the muscles in the hand work best, it is a good idea to get a basic understanding of what "the hand" consists of. Click on "The Incredible Hand" icon to get a quick anatomy 101 lesson.
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Hand Function
The hand and its "parts" have many jobs, but the ones we will be talking about are 1. Grasping
2. Precision and Control.
Both skills are essential in a child's ability to handle their everyday "tools" - forks, spoons, buttons, zippers, shoe laces, scissors, markers, a computer mouse & a keyboard.....
2. Precision and Control.
Both skills are essential in a child's ability to handle their everyday "tools" - forks, spoons, buttons, zippers, shoe laces, scissors, markers, a computer mouse & a keyboard.....