Fine motor skills are essential for performing everyday activities including academic and self-care tasks.   

Here are some key indicators your child may be struggling:

• Disinterest in coloring tasks, and difficulty coloring inside the lines

• Difficulty holding onto a spoon or fork during meals

• Avoidance of seated fine motor activities

• Struggling with holding a pencil

• Trouble manipulating buttons, zippers, snaps on clothing

• Decreased persistence with fine motor activities

• Difficulty forming lowercase and uppercase letters

• Handwriting challenges including speed, legibility, and volume or produced written work

• Struggling to stack blocks and manipulate toys compared to same aged peers

Gross motor skills are the foundation for successful participation in ball activities, balance tasks, body awareness, and coordination for learning new physical skills. 

Here are some key indicators your child may be struggling:

• Disinterest in physical activities, such as playing outside or riding a bike

• Difficulty catching and throwing a ball

• Unable to skip, complete jumping jacks, or balance on one foot

• Avoidant of climbing, or engaging in new physical activities

• “Clumsiness” such as frequent tripping or being more accident-prone than peers

• Fear of having their feet off the ground

• Awkward gross motor movements or difficulty acquiring new motor skills

• Fatigues easily during physical activities compared to same aged peers