Promotingfine Motor Skills for 2Yr Old

I would suggest calling the city, if you live in Minneapolis call 348-tots. If your child is delayed they will come out and do a screening. There may be a reason for her delay and they would be a good place to start.

My oldest daughter was behind in her speach at 2, her pediatrician wasn't worried, but we brought her in to a speach therapist for testing and were then passed on to the child pscychologist. She was given a diagnosis of a learning disability. We got in touch with the city and they ran their own tests and started her on therapy (which they cover the costs of until a child is 3). Since then she has overcome her disability and now tests at a normal or advanced for her age. I'm not trying to scare you but it's so important to catch these things when they are young-it's so much easier to get them on the correct path.

Sincerely,
A.

I also recommend arts and crafts - especially coloring with crayons. Maybe start her out with the fat crayons, but then graduate to the normal skinny crayons. It'll make her work her hand more to color. And try to encourage her to stay in the lines on the paper (not for artistic merit, but really for her fine motor skills).

If you're planning to go back to work, I would try to enroll your daughter in a preschool, or at least a daycare that has some school-like activities. My son is 2 and 1/2, and he started preschool in September. It's amazing how well his coloring has developed because they do it every day! And I find he'll do things with the other kids at daycare that he might resist doing at home with me. (Positive peer pressure) So if your daughter might not have the patience to sit and color at home with you, if she's around a bunch of kids who are all coloring, she might go along with it.

Good luck!

Hi A., art is definitely the way to go, but I would consider enrolling her in an art class. From what you've described it sounds like she might just shove the crayons/paper away if you gave them to her or want you to scribble instead. Therefore, I'd enroll her in a fun art class where they do art, but they also make it fun for 2 year olds by singing songs, playing games, etc so that she'll want to participate! One such program is Abrakadoodle. They have classes for kids starting at 20 months and are just a fantastic program. They have classes all over the Twin Cities. I highly recommend them (www.abrakadoodle.com or www.abrakadoodlemn.com).

Another great activity is to get a straw and cut it into several small pieces. Then give her a shoelace and encourage her to thread the straws onto the shoelace. Make it a game by saying you're going to make necklaces, bracelets, etc.

Also consider purchasing Color Explosion by Crayola (available at Target, Michaels, etc). Kids scribble on black paper with a special marker so fun colors show up. It's a great choice for those picky kids who don't want to scribble on white paper with crayons.

Best of luck,
S.

My daughter had a gross motor skill delay and so I kinda know what your going through. I would definately encourage any kinds of arts and crafts.. go nuts with arts and crafts. Coloring, painting, gluing little things on, stickers, play-doh, it's all great. Also get her some child size sissors and let her go to town. Maybe even ripping paper would work. The earlier these things are detected the better. Once she's in preschool and kindergarten if she is on track for fine motor skills she'll do awesome you don't want her to be behind that area becuase that's all they do at school pretty much.

As far as using silverware maybe try and give your daughter alot of foods where she almost has to use it like pudding, cereal, oatmeal, that sort of foods. Maybe make a special trip to the store and pick out some fun child size silverware.

When your daughter goes for her pre-kindergarten screening before they let them into kindergarten let them know you've had concerns with her fine motor skills so they will pay special attention to that area and let you know if they think there is a problem this is where we got the ball rolling on my daughter being delayed in her gross motor skills which eventually turned into going to physical therapy and now I have a perfect happy 5 yr.old who isn't behing or delayed. I scheduled my daughter to be screened early on at 3.5 and most parents wait right before kindergarten which I don't recommend, becuase the earlier the detection the more time for intervention.

Good luck I'm sure things will work out just fine!

Any arts and crafts would be great, coloring, finger painting, painting, cutting, gluing, etc. How the project looks when she is done doesnt matter, it is the learning experience that does. Playdough, clay, shaving cream, etc, are also great. Puzzles are wonderful. Blocks, Duplos, any building type toys - even if she dcoesnt build with them, just playing with them in her hands, sorting, stacking, lining them up, etc, will help her fine motor skills. Reading books - holding them, turning the pages herself, books with flaps to lift, things to touch or do in the book. Helping with things around the house, put silverware away from thr dishwasher, help sort and fold laundry, feed the dog/cat, even picking up toys. Outside have her collect leaves, small rocks, pick blades of grass, etc. As for eating, serve her foods that are difficult to eat with her hands. Make sure she has child-size silverware. Try other things like food on a stick. Have her help with cooking, rolling out dough, using cookie cutters, etc. There is a lot you can do at home, most of the daily household things WE do use fine motor skills. Have her help out around the house, be patient, plan for needing extra time to do things. The smaller piece toys are ok for her to use, as long as you are right there with her, watching that she doesnt put them in her mouth. You can have those types of toys be special, for you two to do together, making it extra fun to use. Good luck.
S.
mom of 3 and daycare provider for 18 years

My son also is delayed with fine motor skills. His OT had him finding small objects like light bright pieces, small animals, beads and coins in clay, playing light bright, the game Pizza Party, Don't Spill The Beans, putting coins in his piggy bank, I cut a slot in an round oatmeal container for him to slip mail in. Any activities that encourage your daughter to use her pointer finger and thumb together are great. You can also get pencil grips for pencils and pens. I would also buy the big crayons for her. Art activities are great for fostering fine motor skills at her age. Play dough is also a great activity.