Fine Motor Skills

Tying Shoelaces

Shoes with laces

Attempted on toy shoes

Velcro shoes

Someone puts on and takes shoes off

Begin to take off and put on velcro independently

Shows interest in shoes with laces

Plugging in a plug

Grabbing toys with fingers, placing shaped toys into specific holes

See someone use a plug into an outlet

Taught not to touch/put things in outlet

Learn about electricity, how it transfers, why it's important/dangerous

Apply understanding of electricity to be able to use a plug

Fastening and Snapping Buckles

Allow child to play with buckles (toys)

Child notices seatbelt buckles in their car seat

Child attempts to buckle their own car seat

Child leaves car seat, now attempts to buckle seat belt

Independently able to buckle seat belt

Cutting with Scissors

See someone use scissors

Writing with a pencil

Use big crayons, markers, paint dotters on paper/coloring books

Begin using smaller writing utensils (e.g., crayons, pencils, colored pencils, thin markers)

Putting on shoes independently and going to school/ workout/work/church

Modeled on shoes

Attempt on a shoe with some assistance

Use laces and tie shoes independently

Tie a knot/bow for a present/sewing/crafts/

Improve in grabbing/fine motor abilities

Learn about safety with scissors (e.g, no running, throwing, how to hold, etc.)

Use safety scissors

Improve with cutting/grabbing/fine motor skills - builds hand strength

Use normal scissors

Be able to do crafts, open things, grab objects, cook, cut hair, alter clothing, etc.

Practice writing letters/name with smaller writing utensils

Use a pencil on largely lined paper with pencil grip

Write without pencil grip

Be able to write papers/letters, apply for jobs, sign your name, do schoolwork, collect data, solve math problems

Allow someone to adjust grip and help you write