Fine motor skills involve the way we use our hands for everyday activities. Our hands and fingers have small muscle groups that help us make fine-tuned movements needed to engage in the world around us (e.g. utensil use, manipulating fasteners on clothing, opening/closing containers, handwriting).

Developing and refining age-appropriate fine motor skills serves as a foundation for participation in school and daily activities. Having refined fine motor skills enables children to feel a sense of confidence, competence, and independence when engaging in age-appropriate fine motor tasks both in and outside of school.

-Difficulty using a writing utensil with an age expected grasp

-Challenges with endurance to complete fine motor tasks

-Decreasing motivation and ability to complete age-appropriate self-care tasks

-Avoiding activities that require sustained hand use

-Declining to engage in pencil/paper tasks, stringing blocks, scissor skills, etc.

Fine motor skill development is addressed in therapy sessions by engaging in functional activities such as threading a lacing card, manipulating clothing fasteners, handwriting, or feeding utensil use. Additionally, occupational therapists address fine motor skills through a play based approach to make skill development fun! Occupational therapists may incorporate games that involve small toys with hand strengthening modalities (tongs, clothes pins, theraputty etc).