Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are the ability to coordinate movements between hands, fingers, and eyes. They are needed for things such as coloring, writing, cutting, tying shoelaces, buttoning shirts, zipping coats, and many daily tasks.

• Shows controlled pencil movement
• Forms letters and numbers correctly
• Writes consistently on the lines
• Good endurance for writing
• Can build lego’s and other connect type blocks independently
• Ties shoelaces independently
• Drawing ability increases
• Can cut out pictures with more accuracy

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills are the ability to coordinate movements using the whole body. The large muscles of the body, including core muscles are used in these skills. Things like jumping, running, kicking, and throwing a ball are examples.

• Running, jumping, climbing, and skipping becomes smoother
• Kicking and throwing a ball at targets with more accuracy
• Catching a ball with more accuracy
• Able to go across the monkey bars (some kids may still need a little help)
• Beginning to figure out how to use a jump rope
• Riding a bike without training wheels with greater ability

Social Skills

Social skills are skills that we use every day as we interact with others and includes communicating. Even non-verbal communication like body language and facial expressions fall into the category of social skills. Knowing how to act in social situations can be tricky for young children. As they grow and have more experiences with people of all ages, these skills will mature and make it easier for them to have positive interactions with others.

• Drive to win becomes stronger and can have a hard time when they do lose
• Forming stronger bonds with other peers
• Enjoys playing in small groups of friends
• Begin to connect with and want to play with those of their same gender
• Understanding of rules is stronger at this age

Your Homework:

What’s a homeschool blog without a little homework?

• Identify any area where your 6-7 year old child needs help in development
• Pick one area
• Write out your plan to help them achieve this developmental step (this could be anything from daily practice to talking with their pediatrician)