As you consider schooling for your young child, getting them off to the right start developmentally can go a long way toward building a successful future.
Along with verbal and social skills, another important part of a child’s development is their fine-motor skills. Improving fine motor skills will help a child handle tools like scissors. Having developed fine motor skills also improves handwriting, and allows for better coordination.
A Montessori kindergarten program helps with fine-tuning and improving fine motor skills many specific ways. Learning about these methods will give you a better understanding of your child’s development.
- Gardening
One of the more unique elements of a Montessori curriculum is the outdoor activities children participate in. The time spent outdoors is not only for recess but also for learning the various ways to experience nature. Many classes focus on a gardening element which involves planting fruits and vegetables.
Gardening helps with fine-motor skills in multiple ways. A child will use their hands to plant vegetation, hold flowers, or pull up weeds. The varying types of grips and strength needed will only improve your child’s skills.
Fine motor skills are also showcased through the use of gardening tools. Children will use shovels, spades, and other tools are they learn various parts of the garden. At first, the skills will not be as strong and many children will struggle to dig or use the tool properly.
As the child sees a garden grow, they may become more excited and encouraged to use the tools. Over time their skills will improve and they’ll master their fine motor skills.
- Art Skills
Along with using pencils and learning basic writing skills, children in a Montessori kindergarten explore other types of art. A child’s fine motor skills may be enhanced with smaller items like crayons, markers, and chalk.
Large items like paintbrushes, finger paints, and sponges also help with the skills and a child’s accuracy. Crafts like beading necklaces or using strings offer ways for children to improve accuracy and precision while working. These skills will help with real-life functions like using scissors or tying shoes.
Some form of art is typically done on a daily basis and repetitive motions will only help a child master their fine motor skills.
- Food and Nutrition
Snack time at a Montessori kindergarten involves a lot more than just eating healthy foods. Young children will explore the process of creating snacks, choosing healthy options, and learn more about the textures of different foods like fruits and vegetables.
Children learn fine motor skills through the use of cooking tools like rubber spatulas, spoons, and whisks. The use of measuring cups, cookie sheets, and various food handling helps build strength and flexibility in the hands and fingers.
While the child’s mind is focused on food and nutrition, the body is learning muscle memory and better ways to handle objects.
- Exploratory Play
At a Montessori kindergarten, children are encouraged to explore freely and find activities they can excel at while learning. Giving your child the freedom to explore allows them to grow and learn at their own pace. A number of these activities will help with fine motor skills as well.
Children may use various materials and objects, including the Binomial and Trinomial cubes, the Metal Insets to create art work, tongs and tweezers to transfer objects, or Practical Life activities that focus on care of self and care of the environment. The daily exploration and interaction will keep their little hands busy while building fine motor skills at the same time.
Contact us at Miniapple International Montessori School to learn more about our program and the various ways your child may thrive with us. We have a number of different activities and opportunities for kindergarten programs.