Introduction
English
Mathematics
Science and Technology
PDHPE
Creative Arts

Fine motor development contributes to the development of communication skills in young children.

What are fine motor skills?

Fine motor skills are those skills which require a child to manipulate and gain control over a range of materials and tools. These are often for communication purposes both functional and expressive, eg writing a name or message, manipulating a computer mouse, creating a sculpture. Opportunities to develop these skills exist in all six key learning areas of the primary curriculum.

The components of fine motor skills can be considered to be:

• Grasping -eg using a crayon, pencil, brush, glue stick, beater, blocks
• Manipulating - eg playdough, clay, unifix, centicubes, paper, sewing, scissors, fingerplays
• Hand-eye co-ordination - eg writing, cutting, threading, moving a cursor, using a glue gun

Structured learning experiences such as developmental play and learning centres are opportunities for teachers to provide a range of activities which will help develop the fine motor skills of children. These will often include materials such as playdough, clothes pegs, sorting, Lego, construction toys, bottles and lids, paper, pens, paints and other media, computer-based technology.

This section provides some examples through work samples of children working on the development of these skills. The samples focus on the Early Stage One and Stage One outcomes and indicators. The activities that the students are engaged in are drawn from learning experiences from different K-6 syllabus documents.

Acknowledgments

The Linkages project appreciates the support and assistance from the students and teachers at the following schools.

Campsie Public School
Canterbury South Public School
Daceyville Public School
Kyeemagh Public School
Lucas Heights Community School