Living / 13 September, 2019 / Nanny Anita

Make Your Own Activity for Fine Motor Skills Practise

Fine motor skills are so important, without them we would find doing everyday tasks such as doing up buttons and fastenings, cutting, self-care, feeding and writing (to name a few) impossible. Therefore it is really important that we help children from an early age to develop the smaller hand muscles so that they can perform these tasks. Without them a child’s self esteem can suffer, as they can’t develop their independence.

I made this fine motor skills practise activity for my youngest charge, who is 3 years old, but it can be used by a child of any age. I included a zip, buttons of various sizes and ribbons for tying bows, not only can she practise her buttons, but both her and her brother can try tying knots and making them into bows.

You will need:

• Fabric
• Ribbons
• Buttons
• Zips

I made mine using my sewing machine, but if you don’t have one you can always keep the sewing to a minimal with a needle and thread:

• Sew the buttons onto a piece of fabric, and then cut out shapes, with a slit in, to attach to the buttons.
• For zips you could glue the sides down or do a running stitch to attach them to your fabric.
• If you decided to add ribbons again you could put a small amount of glue in the middle of the ribbon and stick it to your main fabric, or take a few stitches to attach it.

However you decide to attach you items make sure you do it securely, as these items could become chocking hazards to small children if they come off.