Building Fine Motor Skills
Source: Teaching Young Children
Many of your child’s daily activities—like getting dressed, eating, and writing—require control of small muscles in the hands. Such skills are called fine motor skills. When young children have opportunities to practice these skills, they can do more things for themselves. A variety of activities can increase muscle strength and coordination, preparing children for more advanced skills, from using a computer mouse to playing a musical instrument.
Children build fine motor skills when they . . .
Source: Teaching Young Children
Many of your child’s daily activities—like getting dressed, eating, and writing—require control of small muscles in the hands. Such skills are called fine motor skills. When young children have opportunities to practice these skills, they can do more things for themselves. A variety of activities can increase muscle strength and coordination, preparing children for more advanced skills, from using a computer mouse to playing a musical instrument.
Children build fine motor skills when they . . .
- Set the table
- Hold knives, forks, and spoons to eat
- Pour juice into a cup
- Wipe the table with a sponge
- Help with meals—stir, shake, chop, cut, and mix
- Get dressed—button, zip, snap, buckle, and fasten Velcro tabs
- Open and close containers with lids
- Cut with child-safe scissors
- Finger-paint
- Use a paintbrush
- Play with playdough and clay—roll, smoosh, pat, pound, and use tools like popsicle sticks or stamps
- Draw, scribble, or write with crayons, pencils, and markers
- Put together puzzles
- Place pegs in a board
- Build with small blocks
- Play board games
- Play with puppets
Health Information from Ottawa County
The Ottawa County Health Department is committed to providing environmental protection, health promotion, disease prevention and assuring quality health services to Ottawa County residents. Established in 1931, the department employs 105 dedicated public health ambassadors. Offices are located in Holland, Hudsonville, and Grand Haven. For detailed information about our services visit www.miOttawa.org/Health.
We would like to alert you to our "Disease Information Resources". On this page you will find dozens of 'fact sheets' covering a variety of health topics such a Strep Throat, Hand Foot & Mouth, Lice and many others!
Health Resources
Health resources are available in each community.
In addition to general resources, the Michigan Department of Community Health has developed flu information materials for preschools. It is recommended that preschools provide this information to parents and to remind parents that to be protected, children need to be given the flu vaccine every year. For more information on flu and flu vaccines, please go to the department’s website at www.michigan.gov/michildcare >Information for Parents >Immunization Information. A “Pandemic Flu” checklist is available online at www.pandemicflu.gov.
Information pertaining to required immunizations for Michigan child care/preschool attendance can be obtained from the Michigan Department of Community Health website (www.michigan.gov/immunize). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends additional immunizations. Additional information on the CDC’s recommendations can be obtained from the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/vaccines).
Health resources are available in each community.
In addition to general resources, the Michigan Department of Community Health has developed flu information materials for preschools. It is recommended that preschools provide this information to parents and to remind parents that to be protected, children need to be given the flu vaccine every year. For more information on flu and flu vaccines, please go to the department’s website at www.michigan.gov/michildcare >Information for Parents >Immunization Information. A “Pandemic Flu” checklist is available online at www.pandemicflu.gov.
Information pertaining to required immunizations for Michigan child care/preschool attendance can be obtained from the Michigan Department of Community Health website (www.michigan.gov/immunize). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends additional immunizations. Additional information on the CDC’s recommendations can be obtained from the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/vaccines).
PNC Grow Up Great
Through Grow Up Great, PNC offers leadership, advocacy, funding, volunteers and educational resources because we believe that an investment in our children now makes good economic sense and plants the seeds for the dynamic workforce of tomorrow. For a calendar of events, Parents and Caregivers can visit www.pncgrowupgreat.com or wwwpnccrezaconexito.com