Ages 3-5 (EYFS)

Fine Motor Skills

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children are developing their fine motor skills. This journey moves from large, whole-body movements to the precise finger control needed for writing, buttoning, and using tools.

Before children can control the tiny muscles in their hands, they need to develop strength in their core, shoulders, and arms.

At home you can work on:

• Large-scale movements: Activities like climbing, hanging from bars, and sweeping with large brooms build shoulder girdle strength.
• Crossing the midline: Activities that encourage children to reach across their bodies (like ribbon dancing or painting on large vertical easels) are crucial for brain development and bilateral coordination.

Instead of formal worksheets at this stage, we work on fine motor skills through games and fine motor skills activities.

• Malleable Materials: Squeezing, rolling, poking, and stretching playdough or clay builds intrinsic hand strength. Use of “Dough Disco”—a fun routine where children move their fingers and hands to music while manipulating dough.
• Loose Parts Play: Sorting small objects like buttons, beads, acorns, and pebbles using fingers or giant tweezers.

As children gain strength, we will introduce specific tools that mimic the muscles used for writing and cutting.

When your child is ready, we will provide opportunities for children to mark make.

Sensory Tracing: Writing patterns, shapes, or letters in sand, shaving foam, or glitter using fingers or paintbrushes.

• Vertical Writing: Writing on whiteboards or windows. Working on a vertical surface naturally forces the wrist into an extended position, which is optimal for developing a mature pencil grasp.