Developing Your Toddler's Fine Motor Skills
Help our tots develop fine motor skills so they can handle life's challenges and get into mischief! Encourage them to turn knobs and unscrew lids. Watch out for those crafty little hands! They'll be drawing with crayons and snipping paper in no time. Nurture their independence and curiosity!
Here are some fun activities:
1. Stand on One Foot – Not every child will be able to master it immediately. If your child is having trouble with this, have them first stand on one foot while keeping the other on a stool. When the child improves, replace the stool with a ball. Be sure to do this with both legs. Always make a game out of it, see how long they can balance on each leg and then have them try it with their eyes closed.
2. Play Hopscotch – This is a great activity for developing balance and kids love it.
3. Stand and walk on a Balance Board – Make this a fun activity as you and your child can take turns trying to stay on the board for as long as you can, then have your child walk the board with his/her arms straight out to help them balance.
4. Balance a Beanbag On Your Head – Give your child a beanbag and have them keep the beanbag balanced while walking in different ways. Have your child walk around or dance to music with beanbags balanced.
5. Play-Doh uses lots of small muscles
6. Draw and Color as well as using a pair of toddler scissors
7. Thread straws with pasta. Stick the straws in a blob of play dough and let the children add pasta on each straw
The key to improving your child’s balance, or any other portion of their fitness, is to keep practicing! For more toddler tips follow me on Instagram:@tinahugginswriter