This first in a two-part series looking at resources for developing children's fine motor control starts with the under-threes. Nicole Weinstein reports.

Babies love to suck their hands and grab their toes. They pick up objects and mouth them, absorbing as much information about them as they can. They point, grasp, poke and clap. And, as their fine motor skills develop, they are able to pick up small things like peas from a plate, purposely release objects from their grip and throw objects around. Early years settings can do much to boost babies' and young children's manipulative development by providing a wide selection of sensory-rich resources that the child will be motivated to handle.


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The development of a child's fine motor skills is a gradual process. The child will need to master the skill of using their hands and fingers to get through daily life - to feed themselves, pour drinks, dress themselves, use scissors and to write.

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