Nursery World - Fine motor skills: Get to grips

Early years practitioners can do a lot to boost young children's manipulative development, says Penny Tassoni - while leaving them to play at their own pace

Most adults take their hands for granted and are able to use them effortlessly. This is not the case for very young children. They have to work hard to fold paper, use scissors and even feed themselves.

The development of hand movements is usually referred to as fine motor or manipulative development. For young children, the development of fine motor skills is closely linked to other areas of their development. Children who are able to pick up, touch and explore objects physically will be able to find out more about their environment, promoting their cognitive development in the process. They are also likely to gain in confidence, as the development of fine motor skills is closely linked to self-help skills such as being able to get dressed, wash and dry hands and pour out drinks.

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