Fine Motor Skills
What are fine motor skills?
Fine motor skills are the small movements made by the hands and fingers. They include grasping toys, using a spoon, buttoning a coat, cutting with scissors, holding a pencil, typing, and manipulating small objects. These skills start to develop in infancy and grow more refined through toddlerhood, childhood, and into the teen years.
Why fine motor skills matter
Strong fine motor skills support independence, learning, and confidence. A child who can hold a pencil comfortably is more likely to participate in classroom writing tasks. A child who can fasten clothing or open food containers can take part in self-care and social activities with peers. Fine motor skills also affect play—building, drawing, crafting, and game play all rely on hand control and coordination.
What to expect in therapy or coaching
Our approach is child-centered, practical, and family-friendly. We begin with a conversation about your child’s everyday routines—what’s working, what’s frustrating, and which tasks matter most to your family. A therapist observes your child doing play and daily activities, and may use simple, functional tasks to see how your child uses their hands.
From there we co-create goals that matter to your child and family (for example, tying shoes, writing legibly, or using scissors independently). Therapy sessions are playful and structured—activities are designed to be meaningful, so your child stays engaged while building skills. Expect hands-on practice, repetition in short bursts, and activities that build strength, coordination, and hand-eye control.
We emphasize caregiver coaching: showing you how to set up easy practice at home, adapt toys and tools, and celebrate small wins. Progress looks like increased ease with daily tasks, greater independence, and better participation in school and play. Because every child is different, the time it takes to reach goals varies and is influenced by how often skills are practiced in everyday life.
Examples of activities we might use
- Play-dough and putty exercises to strengthen fingers
- Tweezers or tongs for picking up small objects
- Lacing beads, stringing, and button boards for coordination
- Cutting shapes, tearing paper, and glue-stick crafts for scissor and bilateral skills
- Pencil grips, tracing, and letter-formation games for handwriting readiness
- Tablet-based apps or keyboard practice for older children and teens when appropriate
When to consider support
- Your infant or toddler has trouble reaching, grasping, or bringing hands to the midline
- Your child avoids using one hand or seems overly clumsy with small objects
- Daily tasks like dressing, feeding, or opening containers are consistently frustrating
- Handwriting is painful, extremely slow, or causes frequent avoidance at school
- Teachers or caregivers report difficulty with classroom fine motor tasks
How we help
- Functional assessment focused on everyday tasks and play
- Individualized, play-based therapy plans that suit your child’s interests
- Practical caregiver coaching and simple home programs
- Collaboration with teachers and other providers when helpful
- Regular check-ins to update goals and celebrate progress
If you’re unsure whether your child needs support, a brief consult can help you decide next steps. We focus on practical strategies you can use right away so children feel more capable and families feel more confident.