Topic: Fine Motor Development in 4 year old??? Posted By: Connie E Date: 03 Mar 2002 1:36 PM
My daughter (four in a week) brought home a coloring sheet from
preschool with the following note from the teacher: "Daughter needs
help with her coloring. She does not take her time, and doesn't stay
in the lines. Help her at home." I was under the impression that 3-4
year olds were too young to expect accurate coloring or letter
development. Is the teacher expecting too much, or am I expecting too
little?
Responses:
Subject: Expectations From: Heather Date: 03 Mar 2002 1:05 AM
I am on your side. I feel that the teacher may be expecting too much.
I certainly agree in encouraging a child to take her time and do her
best but expecting fine motor skills to be highly developed at that age
is unrealistic. You don't want your child to feel that they are under
pressure. Check with the teacher to find out exactly what he or she
expects of the children in the class and maybe there has been a
misunderstanding. It's important to make sure that you and your child
are comfortable with their situation.
Subject: No Staying in the Lines! From:Brenda Nixon, M.A. Date: 04 Apr 2002 7:53 AM
AAAhhhhh, these kinds of messages scare me. You are Right!Preschool age
kids do NOT have to color in the lines, in fact they often lack the
small (fine) motor skills to do so. When a PS teacher says "stay in the
lines" it sets up a child to feel like a failure. A better reply is to
suggest the teacher let your daughter have a blank piece of paper and
color however she wants. This IS developing the fine motor skills
without making a child feel like a failure. Another way to help fine
motor development is to involve your tot when you make cookies, or play
together with playdough. Give her some fat chalk this summer and let
her scribble out on the driveway. These are very age-appropriate &
positive ways to build those fine motor skills which will eventually
(around 5 or 6) have the ability to "stay in the lines." Please find
other help & solutions on the Parent's Page of my site
http://www.parentpwr.com/pp!tips.html. Best wishes, Brenda Nixon
