Which of the following is an example of a fine motor manipulative movement

Motor skills are something most of us do without even thinking about them. Motor skills are divided into gross and fine.

Gross motor skills include standing, walking, going up and down stairs, running, swimming, and other activities that use the large muscles of the arms, legs, and torso. We develop these mostly during childhood through play and physical activity.

Fine motor skills, on the other hand, involve the muscles of the fingers, hands, and wrists, and, to a lesser extent, toes, feet, and ankles. Coordination of hand, eye, and brain makes gaining these skills a little more complex than, for example, learning to crawl. Development of these skills is more ongoing, often throughout our whole lives.

Gaining these skills is more than a matter of chronological age or reaching a certain developmental stage. The individual skill must be learned, including the physical movements involved.

Examples of some activities of daily life that need fine motor skills and what they involve

1. Clothing fastenings – buttons that are supposed to go into buttonholes or loops, zippers, snaps, ties, collar stays or button-down collars, and shoelaces
2. Using tableware – a knife, fork, or spoon, both for personal use and the utensils used with serving dishes
3. Opening and closing food containers – screw tops, carton spouts, plastic leftover containers, and boxes
4. Twisting doorknobs – also locks, slide chains, and keys
5. Personal care – shaving, brushing teeth, doing hair, applying makeup (especially eyeliner), putting on post-back earrings, inserting contact lenses, bathing, showering, and using the toilet
6. Handwriting – holding a pen or pencil, printing vs. cursive writing, size of individual letters, consistent size of letters, and writing in straight lines
7. Needlework – threading a needle, making the correct size and consistent stitches, casting on/off knitting, maintaining proper thread/yarn tension
8. Video gaming – thumbing the joystick, pressing keys in rapid succession, and watching the screen and operating the controller at the same time
9. Operating other electronic equipment – using a keyboard, a telephone or alarm system touchpad
10. Musical instruments – coordinating both hands to play the instrument, putting fingers in the right places on strings, over holes, or on keys

Children show fine motor coordination and the skills that go with them as they grow older and develop.

If you want to know if your child or little loved one is meeting appropriate developmental milestones on or close to time or is an early or a late bloomer, please feel free to contact RISE Services. A talk with one of our developmental or early intervention specialists is always the first step to getting the facts. If they are deemed appropriate, there are a number of services available, including occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy, and physical therapy (PT).

The RISE facility closest to you can be found via our website: www.riseservices.org . Helping is what we’re here for.

Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists. We rely on these skills to do key tasks in school, at work, and in everyday life.

These small movements come so naturally to most people that we usually don’t think about them. But fine motor skills are complex. They involve a coordinated effort between the brain and muscles. They’re built on the gross motor skills that let us make bigger movements, like running or jumping.

Here are some examples of when we use fine motor skills:

• Holding a pen or pencil
• Drawing pictures and writing neatly
• Using a keyboard
• Using scissors, rulers, and other tools

People also need fine motor skills to do daily tasks like getting dressed and brushing their teeth.

Dive deeper

How fine motor skills develop

Fine motor skills start developing in infancy, and keep improving as kids get older. Kids don’t all develop at the same pace. But there are milestones they usually reach at different ages.

For instance, at age 5 or 6, kids can typically copy shapes and letters, and use a spoon or fork with ease. By 7 or 8, they can usually tie shoes and button and zip on their own.

Learn more about fine motor skill milestones for different ages.

Trouble with fine motor skills

People can have problems with fine motor skills at any age and for different reasons. When young kids struggle, a common cause is developmental coordination disorder (DCD). It’s sometimes referred to as dyspraxia.

DCD affects fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and motor planning. It’s lifelong, but motor skills can improve. Occupational therapy (OT) can be helpful. Kids may be able to get it for free in school. Adults can work with their doctor to find a therapist who works privately.

Learn more about how DCD affects fine motor skills.

Next steps for parents and caregivers

If you’re worried about your child’s fine motor skills, talk with your health care provider. You can also reach out to the school to request a free evaluation. Eligible kids can get free occupational therapy through the school. An evaluation can also help you understand your child’s strengths.

There are ways to help your child build motor skills at home, too. Explore:

• Activities for younger kids

• Activities for older kids

• Free tools to help with handwriting

Related topics

• Root causes

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About the author

About the author

Gail Belsky is executive editor at Understood. She has written and edited for major media outlets, specializing in parenting, health, and career content.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Keri Wilmot is an occupational therapist who works with children of varying ages and abilities in all areas of pediatrics.

What are examples of manipulative movement?

Which of the following is an example of fine motor skills?

What is manipulation in fine motor skills?

Which of the following is an example of fine movement?