Fine motor skills in children: how to determine if your child is behind in development, and how to help him catch up with peers

All parents heard that it is useful for babies to give exercises for fine motor skills. Otherwise, it will be difficult for a child to learn how to dress independently, use small items, tie up shoelaces ... The development of fine motor skills in preschool children determines the child's emphasis, his ability to draw, sculpt, embroider ... What is small motor skills, and how to promote its development ?

Fine motor skills are one of the most important abilities of a person. This word is called the ability to perform fine precise movements with your fingers and hands. For example, pick up your favorite toy or decorate pictures. This is possible only when the child has coordinated the actions of the nervous, bone and muscle systems. Fine motor skills in children affect the development of speech. Speech and motor centers are located very close to each other in the child's head. If your child can not learn to speak, help him with exercises for fine motor skills.

How to understand if your child lags behind the norm in development?

Even if your baby is slightly behind - do not despair, with regular exercise, he will easily catch up with his peers. However, you should familiarize yourself with the standards identified by specialists in child development.

At the age of 8-12 months, your baby should be able to take small items with thumb and forefinger. In 13-18 months the child should be able to steadily put one cube on another. In 15-18 months, children usually know how to collect a pyramid from the rings. In 17-20 months the kid is able to build a turret of three cubes steadily, and also one page to turn over the pages of the book. A 17-24 month old child can capture moving objects. At the age of 18-24 months the youngster learns to lower various small objects into a small hole. At 20-24 months, the baby stringes on the cord large beads. At the age of 21-22 months the child should be able to transfuse liquid from one vessel to another. And at 22-24 months, babies can build turrets from four to six cubes.

What if your child's success does not meet the above standards?

Fine motor skills in children require constant training. It is very useful to do a gentle massage of your baby's fingers and fingers. Help your kid take up small toys, roll balls and build turrets from cubes. Hold his hand when he learns to use a spoon or draw with a pencil. Excellent fine motor skills in children, often playing with the designer. Help in the development of motor skills small balls, which the kid likes to roll from corner to corner. For young children, the play in the hands will be beneficial, as well as tearing soft colored paper.

Very useful will be the following exercise: in front of the baby, bury a small object in the jar with a cereal, and then ask the child to dig it. It is useful for babies to rummage in the croup, sifting it through their fingers. Show your child how to play with this simple adaptation. However, take care that he does not drag anything into his mouth.

Greatly develops fine motor skills modeling, drawing, as well as simple dressing. Trying to button and unbutton buttons, the baby coaches his coordination. For more adults, a good exercise will be lacing the shoes, as well as tying small items with a thin rope. Older children like to collect mosaics and puzzles. Well developed small motor skills in children when cutting out figures from paper - snowflakes, coins, leaves and so on. Cut out pieces of bright colored paper together with the baby, and then glue them together with glue stick.

Helping your child develop fine motor skills, make sure that he does not swallow small parts of toys. Games with small items are possible only with the close supervision of the parents! Some children love to pop anything in your mouth, which can have unpleasant consequences. Be engaged with your child with pleasure, giving exercises, as cheerful game, and do not forget about its safety.