As your toddler learns and grows, one important area of development is fine motor skills. This is the type of coordination used to control small muscles — usually those in the hands — and use them together to make complex and subtle motions that are necessary for everyday tasks. To help your child exercise these skills, it’s helpful to give them children’s toys that require fine motor use.

How to Encourage Fine Motor Development Through Toys

1. Blocks

The action of picking up a small object and stacking it on top of others without knocking them down requires fine control of the hand and arm. Blocks are a classic example, but any other stacking toy will do.

2. Laces

Lacing toys helps your child practice pinching a narrow object such as a string to guide it through precise movements. This works whether you choose beads or lacing cards for them to practice on.

3. Clay

Not only does clay offer your child multiple movements to practice getting the shapes they want, but it also provides endless creative fun. Try teaching your child how to roll a ball or pinch the clay to a point.

4. Pegs & Holes

Much like beads and laces, pegboards help your child learn to guide a small object to the specific place they’re looking at. For a twist on this concept, choose a set of screw-threaded pegs to help your child learn how to tighten or loosen them by turning.

5. Scissors & Tongs

The pincer grip is another important movement for your child to learn; small scissors, tongs, tweezers, and squeeze bottles can help them do it. Encourage your child to pick up small toys with the tongs instead of with their fingers to exercise this grip.

By providing your child with various fine motor children’s toys, you can help them progress in their development and build the skills to hold a pencil, open a door, and lift a fork. Get started today with any of these fun possibilities. Toy Box in Mamaroneck, NY, is the largest local children’s toy store in Westchester County. For over 40 years, they’ve offered a huge selection of top-quality toys and games for kids to keep your little ones entertained and help them grow. For questions, call them today at (914) 698-7110 or send a message online.