Tiny Hands with Big Jobs: Fine Motor Development in Early Childhood
DIR/Floortime-Informed Insights for Parents of Babies and Toddlers
By Katy Barnes, OTD, OTR/L
What are Fine Motor Skills?
You may notice a toddler picking up a crayon, stacking blocks, or struggling to button a sweater. These small actions are signs of fine motor development, the way your child builds strength and control in their hands to do big things in everyday life.
Fine motor skills are essential for young children to gain independence, engage in meaningful play, and take part in daily routines like eating, dressing, and brushing their teeth. These “tiny hands” are doing important work as your child learns to connect, explore, and grow. They set the foundation for success with:
-Handwriting/drawing
-Typing on a keyboard
-Visual motor integration
-Tying shoes
-Playing an instrument
-Scissor skills and coordination
Why are these skills important?
In occupational therapy, fine motor development is more than just using your hands; it is about:
-Gaining confidence and independence
-Developing executive functioning through planning and sequencing
-Supporting emotional resilience by practicing new tasks at the just-right challenge
When your child zips their own jacket or writes their name for the first time, they are not only building a skill but also feeling proud and capable.
A DIR/Floortime Lens on Fine Motor Development
At Zier Institute and AZ+A, we take a developmental and relationship-based approach to these skills, which can mean co-regulating when tasks are frustrating or overwhelming and following the child’s interest to spark motivation.
Instead of pushing through structured tasks repetitively, we embed learning into meaningful experiences that connect to your child’s world.
Try this at home to support fine motor skill development
-Break crayons in half—shorter tools help build arches in the hands, support strengthening, and promote a functional grasp
-Use vertical surfaces—draw on a whiteboard or play with magnets on the fridge to strengthen shoulder and wrist stability
-Let them try—encourage your child to pull up their own socks, zip their coat, or open containers, even if it takes a little bit longer
Concerned About Your Baby or Toddler’s Motor Skills?
-Whether you’re just starting to notice motor skill challenges or are already actively seeking occupational therapy, the pediatric therapists at Zier Institute and AZ+A are ready to support you. We’re dedicated to helping families understand their child’s development, every milestone, and new skill along the way!-