Activities to Enhance Fine Motor Skills: 12-18 Months

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From birth, children begin to explore the world – first through sounds, images and bodily contact with loved ones. And then the stage of sensory development begins. At this time, the child’s ideas about the properties of the surrounding objects are being improved. And the more interesting things that differ in texture and texture will surround the baby, the more harmonious their development will be.

What is fine motor skills?

Fine motor skills (or finger praxis) is the ability to perform precise and small movements with the hands and fingers. Its development depends on the coordinated actions of several systems at once – muscular, nervous and bone.

The role of fine motor skills

The development of fine motor skills favourably affects the general skills of the child. This is explained by the fact that in the process of interaction of systems there is a rapid formation of connections between neurons.

The following areas are involved:

• Memory. After classes, visual images are better remembered.
• Imagination. Scientists have proven that viewing pictures is no different from working with invented images in terms of brain function. Imagination promotes the development of spatial thinking and creativity.
• Perseverance. Games and exercises make children more diligent and patient. They learn to focus on a specific task in order to achieve a goal.
• The development of speech. When the baby touches an object, nerve impulses enter the brain, as a result of which neighbouring centres (including speech centres) are involved.
• Planning. When interacting with objects, the child learns to evaluate the consequences of their actions. Children develop an understanding of what they need to do to achieve the result they want.

The development of fine motor skills in children takes place gradually because this is an individual process and for each baby, it goes at its own pace. The movements will be sloppy and awkward, but special games will help them in the formation of these skills.

Games with small objects

Everyone has seen the show with drawings in the sand, some masters even make whole paintings. This activity is great for developing fine motor skills. Take any cereal, for example, semolina or millet, and start drawing simple elements on a piece of paper. Make the drawing more difficult each time.

Toys

Fine motor toys for toddlers are different and are great for helping children develop.

• Slingbuses. This is the name of the beads made of knitted beads, which stimulate the palm of the little one. They are used from the moment of birth: during feeding, children like to squeeze something in their hands. And the knitted texture is the best suited for this: it massages the baby’s fingers, starting the process of developing their fine motor skills.
• Sorters. This is the name of toys in the form of a house, animal, or plant, in which there are holes of various shapes. The kid needs to choose the right element and the corresponding hole. Such activity contributes to the development of manual dexterity and logical thinking.
• Soft books. There are several varieties of them: books made of fabric, and books made of waterproof material (for the bathroom). They usually depict funny animals and other pictures that attract attention. While the baby is sleeping, books are hung on a developing rug, on a crib or on arcs on a deck chair – but always so that they can be reached. Waking up, they will begin to examine books and turn their pages.
• Cubes. Ordinary game cubes, which act as a good “material” for creating houses, cars, etc. The lesson is very exciting, and also contributes to the development of finger dexterity. Another important point: since the speech and motor centres of the brain are interconnected, stimulation of one of them leads to the development of the second.
• Development panels. These are panels with various buttons, latches, fasteners, laces – everything that can be sorted out and pulled. With their help, the baby’s fine motor skills develop, and useful skills are learned – how to fasten a zipper, and how to better handle buttons or laces. Before giving the panel to the child, you need to show them how to properly unfasten and fasten, etc.

The development of fine motor skills in children from 1 year to 1.5 years

Your baby is one year old. They’re already pretty good with their hands. Can take any toy (object) with their hand, fingers or whole palm. Likes to throw toys, and push them against something. Able to open and close the lids of boxes, and jars.

In order for the movements of the child’s hand to become even more perfect, give them the opportunity to manipulate all kinds of objects, different in shape, and texture of the surface material (bottles, bubbles, pebbles, cereals, foil, polyethylene, etc.).

The ability to master fine motor skills in children does not develop by itself, that is, it does not have a hereditary factor. Of great importance in this matter are adults who, by their example, involve the child in various activities, and develop them systematically and purposefully.