Question

What is the difference between gross and fine motor skills? What are some of the major developmental milestones that occur in the preschool years? What types of activities can help a child to develop their gross and fine motor skills?

Answer 1

Motor skills enable to perform physical tasks and activities in day to day lives.

Fine motor skills are those skills that require high degree of control and utmost precision in the relatively small muscles of the hands. For example, using a spoon or fork.

Gross motor skills usually involve the use of large muscles of the body. These skills involve broader movements such as walking.

Some developmental milestones are as follows:

By two years of age, toddlers begin to develop fine and gross motor skills.They may begin to walk and run. They may also be able to play with toys. They may also begin to understand repeated familiar words and may also speak words like "mommy" or "daddy".

By three years of age, children may be able to use a few words to make sentences. They can be able to run and climb. They might also be able to make rough drawings and use colours. Children by this age learn a lot of things. They can recite numbers, they can name some colours and also be able to do some small tasks like brushing their teeth.

By four years of age, children tend to become more coordinated. They can act a little dominating. They also begin to express themselves in a little complex sentences. They can jump. They can also ride tricycle. They can arrange things in order. They are also able to sing songs made up by them. They fan argue with others even when they seem to be illogical.

Gross motor skills can be developed through practice. Children should be allowed to engage with resources available so that they are able to do a lot of movement.

Fine motor skills can be developed by letting the child play with building blocks. This activity involves eye and hand coordination, manipulation of object and promotes understanding of hand dominance.

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