Building Strong Hands and Bright Futures: Developing Fine Motor Skills at Home

Fine motor session

Fine motor skills are the small movements we make with the muscles of our hands, wrists, and fingers. These skills are essential for everyday tasks like writing, tying shoelaces, buttoning clothes, using utensils, and even opening lunch boxes. At Shoalhaven Occupational Therapy, we know how important it is for children to develop these foundational skills to support independence, confidence, and success at school and in everyday life.

What Are Fine Motor Skills?

Fine motor skills involve the coordination of small muscles with the eyes, often referred to as hand-eye coordination. They’re essential for tasks such as:

• Drawing and colouring

• Cutting with scissors

• Using a pencil with a functional grasp

• Managing zippers, buttons, and other fasteners

• Manipulating small objects like Lego, beads, or puzzle pieces

Some children may need extra support to develop these skills, especially if they avoid or struggle with fine motor tasks. That’s where we come in.

Our Fine Motor Group Program

At Shoalhaven Occupational Therapy, we offer a Fine Motor Fun Group – a small group program designed and led by our occupational therapists and allied health assistants. The group targets:

• Hand strength and coordination

• Pencil grasp and pre-writing skills

• Bilateral coordination (using both hands together)

• Visual motor integration

• Scissor and tool use

The sessions are play-based, engaging, and adapted to meet each child’s individual needs. Children build their skills through fun, hands-on activities, and parents receive regular updates and tips for carryover at home.

Our Fine Motor Fun Group runs during the school term and also as part of our school holiday intensives. Spots fill quickly, so reach out to join the waitlist or book your child in for a short assessment to see if it’s the right fit.

Tips to Develop Fine Motor Skills at Home

You don’t need fancy equipment to support your child’s fine motor development. Try these fun, low-cost activities at home:

💪 Build Hand Strength:

• Playdough Play – Roll, squish, pinch, and cut with plastic tools

• Tongs and Tweezers – Pick up small items like pom-poms or pasta

• Spray Bottles – Water the plants or clean the windows

✍️ Encourage Pre-Writing Skills:

• Drawing in Sand or Shaving Cream – Great for sensory input and finger isolation

• Tracing and Colouring – Use stencils or trace around cookie cutters

• Dot-to-Dots and Mazes – Help develop pencil control

✂️ Practice Tool Use:

• Scissor Skills – Start with cutting playdough, then move to cutting lines on paper

• Hole Punching – Strengthens the whole hand

• Sticker Play – Great for pincer grasp and precision

🧩 Promote Coordination:

• Lacing Cards and Beading – Supports visual-motor integration

• Puzzles and Construction Toys – Encourage planning and problem-solving

• Cooking Together – Stirring, pouring, and rolling dough build coordination

  
  

When to Seek Support

If your child is avoiding fine motor tasks, becoming frustrated, or falling behind their peers, it may be time to chat with one of our occupational therapists. Early support can make a big difference, and we’re here to help with assessments, individual therapy, and group-based programs tailored to your child’s needs.

📞 Contact us today to book a fine motor assessment or join our next Fine Motor Fun Group. Let’s work together to build strong hands for a bright future.

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