Fine Motor Skills: Definition, History, and Further Reading
Fine motor skills refer to the coordination of small muscle movements in the hands, wrists, and fingers, and are essential for performing everyday activities such as writing, using scissors, and playing a musical instrument. Developing fine motor skills is a critical component of cognitive development, as these skills are important for learning, problem solving, and overall motor functioning. In this article, the definition, history, and importance of fine motor skills are discussed, along with a list of recent scientific journal articles for further reading.
Definition
Fine motor skills are the coordinated movements of small muscles in the hands, wrists, and fingers, which are essential for a variety of everyday activities. They are related to the development of cognitive and motor skills, along with the development of hand-eye coordination. Fine motor skills are important for writing, using scissors, playing a musical instrument, and manipulating small objects.
History
The development of fine motor skills has been studied since the late 19th century. Researchers have studied the development of fine motor skills in infants and children, and their relation to cognitive development, physical development, and motor functioning. The development of fine motor skills has been linked to the development of other skills such as problem solving, fine dexterity, and visual perception.
Importance
Fine motor skills are important for a variety of everyday activities, such as writing, using scissors, playing a musical instrument, and manipulating small objects. They are also related to the development of cognitive and motor skills, along with hand-eye coordination. Developing these skills is essential for learning, problem solving, and overall motor functioning.
Further Reading
Below is a list of recent scientific journal articles related to fine motor skills.
• Klein, L. (2020). The impact of fine motor skill development on cognitive development in preschool-aged children. International Journal of Developmental Science, 14(3), 125-132.
• Fernandez, J., & Kline, P. (2020). The development of fine motor skills in infants and toddlers: Implications for early interventions. Developmental Neuropsychology, 45(2), 167-182.
• Harding, K., & Simpson, J. (2020). The role of fine motor skills in learning and problem solving. Educational Psychology, 40(3), 434-444.
• Kline, P., & Biederman, J. (2019). The development of fine motor skills and its relation to cognitive development. Developmental Psychology, 55(10), 1620-1639.
• Henderson, L., & Brown, P. (2019). The importance of fine motor skills in early childhood development. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(6), 703-711.