Activities that strengthen and train the muscles in the hands and fingers are important skills in learning to write. Bringing all five fingers together in order to hold a pencil/crayon takes time and coordination. In this activity, your child will develop her fine motor skills by stringing beads.

Cutting with scissors is a skill that progresses through stages. As your child learns to cut with scissors, this activity will give your child practice with a variety of shapes and textures.

Using the thumb and index finger to pick up objects is a big advancement in fine motor development. It is these early experiences that prepare your child to have the fine motor and eye-hand coordination she will need later for drawing and writing.

Children at this age can begin to copy a circle, cut on a line and make horizontal strokes. The strokes of a paintbrush are effective and fun for your child at this stage of development. This activity gives your child some painting fun.