19 November 2021
In the South Western Sydney Local Health District, one in four children are at risk of delayed fine motor skills.
Holding and manipulating objects using hand muscles allows children to participate in play, self-care and school-based tasks. These are crucial for academic, social and emotional development.
Fine motor skills consist of:
- Hand and finger strength
- Hand preference/dominance
- Bilateral coordination (using two hands together)
- Visual motor integration (hand/eye coordination)
- Object and pencil grasp
- Cutting skills
- Drawing and handwriting skills
The first years of life are critical for learning new skills. Early identification and intervention of fine motor difficulties is key in reducing the risks of poor academic, social and long-term life outcomes. Early referral to Occupational Therapy will provide the best support for children identified with delay in fine motor skills.
How to identify a fine motor delay: checklist by age