Fine motor skills have improved during this point, with increased concentration and patience. These improvements in fine motor development allow school age children to focus and develop a wider variety of tasks, using their small muscles (especially arts n craft activities).
Fine Motor Development Milestones from 6 years+
- copies simple shapes (rectangle, triangle, circle etc.)
- does more detailed drawings (windows on a house, flowers in a garden etc.)
- scissor skills have improved (able to cut on curved lines, cuts out shapes and simple designs)
- is learning to write letters
- threads and manipulates small and large beads
- uses a knife and fork together (able to cut using a knife)
- has a clear preference of using either left or right hand for writing
- able to brush and comb own hair
- cuts out irregular shapes, pastes and uses sticky tape
- writes letters smaller, more regularly spaced and with consistent alignment
- have independent dressing skills (including being able to tie shoelaces)
- begins to write in lines
- guides movement of pencil with pencil rather than arm
- holds pencil with ease of movement
- correctly identifies left and right
- is independent in all aspects of self-care (brushing teeth, combing hair, taking a bath/shower etc.)
For fine motor skills activities that includes drawing, painting, colouring and cutting in a variety of arts n craft experiences should also be encouraged. Overall school age children will continue to develop their fine motor development through a wide range of experiences.