Learning fine motor skills Children do not necessarily have to paint

Movements of hand-finger coordination can also be practiced otherwise
Children should paint a lot to train their fine motor skills. Several parent counselors advise this, because these skills are rarely practiced in infancy, so it can later be used to develop disorders such. a typing weakness come. If a child just does not enjoy painting, parents should not worry. Because fine motor skills also develop through other activities.
Potato peeling and jigsaw work also train fine motor skills
While 4-year-old Marie paints small works of art with dedication on a daily basis, 5-year-old Max does not even get excited about pencils, scissors and paintbrushes. But even if the child shows no joy in painting and crafts, there is no reason for concern for parents, emphasizes Ulric Ritzer-Sachs of the online consultation of the Federal Conference on Educational Consulting (bke) in conversation with the news agency "dpa".

Painter for a dexterity not a must. Image: Andy Dean - fotolia

"If a child does not paint, that does not really mean anything," explains the expert. Urge and coercion would not help at all, but of course the child would eventually have to master fine motor skills such as writing. Instead of painting or crafting, but they could, for example. can also be promoted by "making the child best small tasks in everyday life," says Ritzer-Sachs. This could e.g. the cutting of the noodle pack or potato peel, and it would be beneficial if the child is allowed to use tools such as a jigsaw. Even fine craftsmanship such as sawing, hammering or filing teaches fine motor skills.

Arouse the desire for creativity with finger paints
But also "painting mustaches" pens and paper should be offered again and again. "Then you can suggest 'Come on, let's paint something for mom together'," recommends the expert. Often, it also motivates when the parents simply draw something in between as a role model or paint. Besides that, instead of conventional colored and felt pens, alternatives such as e.g. Fingerpaints are tried to arouse the desire for creative activities. For tips and suggestions, according to the experts, the kindergarten teachers in the day care center are a good address. (No)