As mentioned in a previous post, fine motor development refers to the ability to use the small muscles in our hands and wrists (for example: properly holding a pencil, threading beads, buttoning a coat, zippering, etc.). As your toddler gets older, you'll notice his or her ability to master more and more tasks requires finger dexterity. Finger dexterity is the measurement of a person's ability to handle small objects or to manipulate controls using their fingers. In order to properly develop this skill, toddlers need to be encouraged to manipulate and explore small objects (under supervision, of course!). Even though your toddler is getting older and able to do more, it is still important to continue to foster their development.
Today, I'm sharing some of our current favorite items for helping to continue L's fine motor development. Every child is different, but for us, these toys have been in rotation since L was probably about 14 months old. Some of the tasks were challenging for her at first (anything new is usually a little bit difficult, right?!). Within the last 6 months, she's shown incredible gains regarding dexterity, partially thanks to these activities!
1. Pop Up Toy
This Galt Pop Up Toy was a great purchase! At first, L was only able to pull the little pegs out, but now she can put them back in as well. It's similar to the famous Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog. I love that this also reinforces color recognition. L loves the little faces on each peg.
2. Threadable Bead Kit
Lacing is a powerful activity for toddlers to develop fine motor skills. Our threadable bead set is from Lovevery's Pioneer Play Kit. What I love about this activity is it allows L to show some creativity. There are lots of different patterns and color combinations she can create. This particular string has a long piece of plastic on the end, making it easier for beginners. If you aren't subscribed to Lovevery, there's a similar kit on Amazon. You also have the option of using a piece of string, adding some tape to the end (to help stiffen it), and providing some small objects like buttons to be threaded. (Be sure to watch little learners carefully when they are manipulating these tiny objects, because they can become choking hazards!)
3. Mail Slot. L loves the mail. Every time she hears the mail truck turn onto our street, she wants to immediately run out to the mailbox. While we were visiting our local children's museum recently, they had a rotating exhibit set up where she got to put mail through a slot (like a mail slot on a door). I decided to take an old box, paint it, decorate it and slice a slot in the middle to create her own. I used white Duct tape to help reinforce the mailslot, which has helped keep it in pristine condition. I took some old envelopes, wrote her name on them, laminated them for durability, and let her go for it. She spends lots of her time putting mail through the slot. She now even loves to put our real mail through the slot after visiting our mailbox every day. I made the slot a lot skinnier than a typical mail slot, just to keep her challenged). It's been a fun and helpful tool to help her continue to develop her fine motor skills.
4. Snap-N-Learn Rhyming Pups
L first played with these at her friend's auntie's house. She immediately gravitated towards them (partially, I'm sure, because they're dogs and we all know she's obsessed). They're great because they encourage little learners to put the two sides of the dog together. At first, it was challenging (even for me!) to perfectly line up the pieces and push them together. Now, L loves matching the dogs and connecting them.
Again, this activity is also great because it encourages color matching. L now thinks it's hilarious to purposefully mismatch the dogs (for example, half red/ half purple). She laughs at herself when she does this; it's pretty cute! Additionally, I love this purchase because the pups have letters on them (which L has already noticed). We'll eventually use them for letter recognition and rhyming.
5. Coins in a Jar.
This is a homemade activity that was very easy to put together. I simply took a mason jar, added a top with a coin slot, and gave her some coins. It takes focus and finger dexterity to fit the coins into the slot. She particularly enjoys doing this activity with real coins because they make a loud noise when they hit the bottom (and what toddler doesn't love anything that makes a lot of noise?!). She's also experimented with putting other coins in the jar. The coins that I used for teaching color recognition, fit perfectly in the coin slot. If you're not into making anything homemade, here's a similar option for purchase. Again, be sure to monitor carefully when little learners are handling any small objects, especially coins, to avoid choking.
These activities have helped L develop strong fine motor skills. What are some of your little learner's favorite activities that support fine motor development? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
Thanks for reading! I hope you continue to follow along to find (and share!) inspiration, information, and innovation! :-) Have a great weekend everyone!