Fine Motor Skills in Children – Moving in the ‘Write’ Direction

It is uncanny that Fine Motor skills in children and Handwriting deficiencies are one of the most common reasons children get referred to Occupational Therapy.

The fact remains that problems with fine motor skills in children have a major impact on children’s ability to participate successfully in daily living activities such as eating, grooming and dressing. Handwriting is still a major requirement for school based tasks despite the influx of computers into school curriculums.

Fine Motor Skills in Children relate to Sensory Motor Skills

Research shows that physical activity and movement play a critical role in the development of skills required for establishing Fine Motor Skills and proficient Handwriting. Requirements for Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting, that stem from established Sensory Motor Skills include:

• Strong Upright Posture
• Bilateral Integration – is the ability to use the arms in a co-ordinated manner
• Crossing the Mid-line – an imaginary line down the centre of our body
• Fluid Arm Movements
• Precise Finger Control and Movements
• Appropriate Grasp/Grip
• Spatial Awareness – knowing where our bodies are in space
• Letter Formation – the ability to clearly form letters in the right shape and form
• Seated Endurance – is the skill to sit still, in the correct posture, for a long time

What CoordiKids Home Course does

CoordiKids Home course works to develop all of the skills mentioned above. The program has been used for many years to aid children who battle with fine motor skills and handwriting. The exercises within the program are placed in a sequence. 

This sequence is designed to develop the child in relation to the typical developmental phases of children. The exercises in the Home course are specific to fine tuning sensory motor skills, so the child can mature and learn.

The key note here is that fine motor skills in children and handwriting develops after the building blocks within the sensory motor development phase are in place. If there are gaps in development, those gaps need to be filled in order for the child to grow and develop further.

A child with poor handwriting suffers not only in the actual task. Self-esteem, confidence and the ability to show off their knowledge is all impacted upon. CoordiKids Home course can help with fine motor skills and handwriting.