Fine Motor, Drawing & Writing
Fine Motor, Drawing, and Writing experiences support development of hand strength, bilateral coordination, and the ability to cross the midline – skills essential for becoming a competent writer. The following strategies support children to develop a proper grip for using a variety of mark-making tools, and foster the development of dexterity, fine motor control, and coordination needed to draw and write with detail and accuracy.
Handwriting
Handwriting in SEE Every Child draws on the Handwriting Without Tears approach (Learning Without Tears, 2017).
Fine Motor Development
Fine motor development is fostered through choice time activities, including opportunities for cutting, transferring small materials, stringing beads, tracing letters and numerals with fingers, and shape punching. The classroom Writing Center is also a place for children to develop fine motor skills, as they use their emergent writing and mark-making skills to create labels, small books, notes to friends and family, and other written materials of their choice. See the Fine Motor Opportunities Guide for more.
Sensory and Art Experiences
Sensory and art experiences, such as playing with playdough, clay, shaving foam and other materials also strengthen children’s fine motor skills. Integrating open-ended art opportunities for children every day during choice time invites not only fine motor development, but also support creativity, problem solving with materials, and encourages imagination.