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.

• Able to write sentences and short stories with legible handwriting and correct spacing
• Many children at this age are better able to play instruments such as the piano
• Drawing and artistic abilities may start to flourish
• Cut out complex pictures with angles and curves
• Better success in multi-step projects- things like the ability to make simple origami pieces
• Can begin to learn cursive, though not master it yet
• Typing on a keyboard in beginner forms

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.

• Skills like kicking, throwing, and catching a ball continue to get better
• Running, jumping, and skipping is smoother and stronger
• Becoming more coordinated in sports, dance, or other physical activities
• Balance is more developed and allows for strength and stability

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.

• Becomes more assertive (speaking up for themselves)
• Working with others and accepting their ideas is easier
• More responsible (taking care of things, getting schoolwork done, helping out around the house more)
• Better at expressing their feelings to peers instead of running to adults

Your Homework:

What’s a homeschool blog without a little homework?

• Identify any area where your 7-8 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)