This is a very practical and very fun post. I decided to not spend tons and tons of money on fine motor skills materials, but rather, come up with my own DIY fine motor skills for preschoolers by using everyday objects that we already have at home.

I am excited to show you some of the activities we do.

Fine Motor Skills Defined

According to Wikipedia, “fine motor skill (or dexterity) is the coordination of small muscles, in movements—usually involving the synchronization of hands and fingers—with the eyes.

The complex levels of manual dexterity that humans exhibit can be attributed to and demonstrated in tasks controlled by the nervous system.”

As moms and teachers, we know how important fine motor skills are because they will help with so many skills in life that set humans aside from all other animals.

With crude fine motor skills, little ones can still coordinate themselves enough to feed themselves small items of food like Cheerios.

But more refined fine motor skills can help children write beautifully, paint, cut, sculpt with clay and even crochet and sew.

Safari Ltd Flowers TOOBBall Jars Collection Elite Wide Mouth Pint, CaseSafari Ltd Butterflies TOOB With 8 Hand PaintedClear Thick Glass Straight Sided Jar – 4

&

DIY Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers

To clarify, this fine motor skills for preschoolers activity involves opening and closing jars and bottles that have lids that require twisting to open.

Developing this skill is important for children’s independence when eating and drinking.

But also, it develops the hand and finger muscles. And with stronger muscles, they will be able to do more refines fine motor skill actions.

So, I looked around my home and found: small, medium and large jar, a mason jar with metal lid and a coconut juice bottle.

There are more items you can use; just look in your refrigerator, your homeschool room and even your bathroom drawer!

Have a variety of jars and bottle with lids and place them in front of your child.

Fine Motors Skills in Action

I let my preschooler explore all of the bottles and jars. She analyzed them and wondered what she could fit inside each of them. She was drawn to the coconut juice bottle first because she was thirsty.

I purposely used a bottle that still had some juice in it. She enjoyed opening it, drinking from it and then closing it.

It is important to point out that it does make a difference to use both empty and full jars and bottles. The weight of glass or wooden beads inside can help them in two ways.

They will open the jars more easily and remember to always open jars while upright (so the items do spill out).

So, I would recommend trying the activity twice, one with empty jars and bottles and again with beads or small pebbles or marbles inside.

What do you think? Will your child love this activity and learn dexterity in a fun way? Preschoolers are explorers by nature.

Let them help you look for jars and bottles around the home that have twisty lids.

Thank you for visiting our DIY Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers post!

You might also like:

Montessori-Inspired Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers (Lessons & Free Printables)

100+ Fine Motor Skills for Toddlers (Free Printable List)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Easy Fine Motor Skills Crafts & Ideas

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________