New Routines: Improving Fine Motor Skills at Home

New Routines: Improving Fine Motor Skills at Home

Happy New Year! Start the new year off right by helping children identify a habit or routine in which they can become more independent. (Just focus on one!) Cleaning up their toys without being reminded, trying new foods, or practicing good table manners are all simple ways to start. As we begin a new year, here are some practical ways for families to incorporate fine motor skill exercises into their daily routines:

Morning Routine: Involve children in simple ways to help with breakfast such as pouring cereal, spreading butter on toast, or setting the table. Choose one step in the dressing routine for them to practice consistently, while you support with other steps as needed.

Playtime: Set aside specific time to explore with coloring or drawing materials during playtime with young children. Follow their lead and do not push them to draw representational forms such as a house or flower that might be too hard. Explore with simple concepts such as curves and lines and use areas of interest to gain engagement. If your child loves trains, practice drawing simple train tracks together. If they love space, try drawing circles for planets. If they are learning colors, see if they can find the same color you are using and scribble alongside you. If coloring is not a preferred play activity for your preschooler, you may need to start with modeling and be sure to keep the activity fun, short, and low-pressure, remembering that consistency is key.

Chores: When encouraging children to put away their toys, focus on having them pick up and sort small items such as beads or Lego pieces. Have children help set the table by folding napkins and placing utensils in the correct location. 

Evening Activities: Dedicate some time to assemble puzzles together as an evening ritual. This may also be a good time of day to explore with building toys such as blocks or Legos.

Bedtime Routine: Allow children to unscrew the cap and practice squeezing the toothpaste onto the toothbrush themselves. Let them turn the pages of the books themselves during story time. 

Weekend Activities: The weekend is a great time to get kids involved in the kitchen where fine motor activities are plentiful. Mixing and measuring, pouring and stirring are great ways to build confidence in the kitchen and connection around cooking. When spending time outdoors on the weekend, using a squirt bottle to water plants or wash chalk off the sidewalk is a great hand strengthening activity. 

Tips for Success:

• Consistency: Integrate these activities into regular routines as much as possible, so they become familiar parts of your child’s day. 
• Make it Fun: Follow your child’s lead, model and keep expectations low as children gain confidence in new activities, and use what is motivating to your child to foster participation and excitement. 
• Praise and Encouragement: Provide positive reinforcement to build confidence and motivation.

By embedding these activities into everyday routines, families can help children develop fine motor skills in a natural and enjoyable way.