Let me premise this post by explaining that I am not a preschool educational expert, but I am the mother of one bright eyed eager three year old boy who readily waits for the next planned activity and constantly wants to learn more. The ideas presented in this post are the result of my experience with my three year old, online study, and the need for creative ideas to keep my little guy busy and his mind engaged. With there being so many ways for our children to be entertained (computer, television, iPad, iPod, and video games), it is a great idea to be intentional about their activities. Entertainment might keep a kid quiet, but it does not necessarily teach them to gain new skills.

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Four Fabulous Fine Motor Skill Activities

Pouring Rice Activity

Unless you have the perfect weather for outdoor water pouring activities, pouring water inside can be quite messy. Instead, designate an area in a hard floor area for pouring rice! Set aside a container of rice just for preschool play time. Then either buy a pouring set like the one pictured to the right, or use kitchen items to allow your preschooler to experiment with pouring, measuring, and funneling the rice.

To Buy a Pouring Kit from Amazon: Montessori Basic Children's Pouring Kit

Cut It Up!

Whatever you do, don't be scared to hand your preschooler a pair of scissors! Cutting paper is a great way to develop fine motor skills, and with the kid safe scissors there is little to fear. Buy a pack of construction paper and a pair of safe scissors. Let your preschool child cut out shapes, but also take a marker and make hearts, diamonds, triangles and other shapes for your preschooler to attempt to follow. Success is measured in the attempt not the perfectly cut out shape, so be sure to encourage each of their attempts.

To Buy Scissors from Amazon: Melissa and Doug Child-Safe Scissors

Source: MissMancy.com

Highlighted Tracing Sheets

Recently, I found a picture on Pinterest that suggested highlighting letters on paper then encouraging children to trace the highlighted letters. I love it! The dashes that are most commonly used are obtrusive and really don't encourage tracing, but highlighting works great. Use this for teaching preschoolers to draw shapes, their name, and even for cutting activities.

To Buy Highlighters from Amazon:

Sharpie Clear View Highlighter Stick, 4-pack

Writing in the Sand

Whether you go to the beach or bring a little sand home to put in a tray, writing in sand is not only therapeutic but great for building preschoolers fine motor skills. Get them started by showing them a few shapes and letters, then encourage them to slowly move their finger through the sand to make their own letters and shapes.

To Buy a Sand Kit from Amazon: Montessori Letter & Drawing Sand Tray

More resources for Fine Motor Skill Development:

Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

http://www.preschools4all.com/fine-motor-activities.html