Kaleidoscope Learning is hosting Fine Motor Fridays from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. beginning on Friday, September 8th, 2023. These events are free and open to the public. (If you are a first-time visitor, we recommend visiting our homepage to learn about how to access our space.)
Why "Fine Motor Fridays"?
In addition to the fun alliteration, the staff at Kaleidoscope wanted to highlight the importance of cultivating fine motor skills throughout the early years.
What Are "Fine Motor Skills?"
Motor skills are, “[The] underlying internal processes responsible for moving the body or parts of the body in space.” We tend to differentiate between “fine motor” and “gross motor” skills.
Fine motor = small muscle movements, often with the hand, fingers, and wrist
Real-life examples: writing with a pencil, cutting with scissors, typing on a keyboard, tying a shoe
Gross motor = large muscle movements, often with our torso and limbs
Real-life examples: running, jumping, riding a bike
Sure, But Why Are Fine Motor Skills Important?
Both fine and gross motor skills are crucial to healthy development. However, strong fine motor skills specifically are associated with positive academic outcomes. Researchers state that this association occurs not only because fine motor skills are required for academic activities such as writing and typing, but also because early fine motor practice creates strong neural connections that can later assist with cognitive tasks. As Dr. Maria Montessori observed, "What the hand does, the mind remembers."
What Kinds of Activities Will Be Featured at Fine Motor Fridays?
We will model fun, low-prep, and low-cost ways to promote fine motor skills at home! While we want to maintain some element of surprise, here is an incomplete list of some activities that your child can engage in:
Color sorting different sizes of pompoms with tongs
Grasping bowls
Hide and seek with small figurines hidden in putty
Water play with scoops, sponges, and basters (aprons will be provided)
Fine motor-focused art activities
Questions?
If you have any questions about our operations, please reach out to our team at hello@kscopelearning.org. If you have specific questions about Fine Motor Friday activities or fine motor development, please contact Theresa at theresa.kallmes@kscopelearning.org.
Source: Cameron, C. E., Cottone, E. A., Murrah, W. M., & Grissmer, D. W. (2016). How Are Motor Skills Linked to Children’s School Performance and Academic Achievement? Child Development Perspectives, 10(2), 93–98.
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