Preschool provides youngsters with a safe and engaging environment to learn and thrive. A core part of their early education is the development of fine motor skills, which are critical for precise physical movements like eating, drawing, playing, or helping you clean the house. Here’s what you can do to help them build on those skills.

A Guide to Enhancing Your Child’s Motor Skills

1. Craft at Home

Set up a table full of art and craft supplies. Your kids will love building on the skills they learn in preschool, especially if the setup replicates what they’re used to in the classroom. Include stickers, clay, markers, pencils, scissors, and construction paper. The idea is for them to master hand eye coordination and precise hand and finger movements. Cutting paper, for example, takes care and focus. Sculpting with clay involves manipulating malleable materials to create unique shapes.

2. Play with Puzzles

Working on a jigsaw puzzle is a fun way for children to gain control of their motor skills while working on problem-solving. They’ll develop the ability to accomplish a goal—in this case solving the puzzle—while using investigative and deductive reasoning to place the pieces where they belong.

3. Use Finger Paints

Finger painting may not be the cleanest activity for your preschool student, but it’s one of the best ways to foster their imagination and brain development. It’s during these formative years that this matters the most, so give them the liberty to dip into those colors and create. They’ll develop stronger finger and hand muscles while focusing on placement and design.

4. Enjoy Dancing Games

Your child doesn’t have to take classes to develop valuable motor skills from dancing. Try a few at-home games that are fun for parents and kids alike. Teach them to touch their head, shoulders, knees, and toes in time to a beat, or teach them the moves to “I’m a Little Teapot”.

5. Learn Clothing Fasteners

Getting dressed can be tricky for preschool-age children. Elements like buttons, buckles, and zippers can be downright impossible at first. Turn this into a teaching opportunity by showing them how to use each fastening mechanism and celebrate their success when they zip up their jacket or button their pants on their own.

The team at Big Blue Bird Early Childhood Center take your child’s early education seriously. They’ve served the Lexington, KY, community for over 40 years, and they’re proud to help your young ones prepare for life in elementary school and beyond. Their focus is on providing a safe and engaging environment to help your child thrive, and they offer a comprehensive preschool program designed to teach them academic basics while helping them socialize. Visit the licensed child care providers online to find out more about their programs, or call them at (859) 299-9277.