ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a broad range of fine motor tasks and discusses the transition to formal handwriting instruction. Fine motor skills are essential for writing, and without them children’s ability to form letters in a fluent, legible manner will be severely affected. Motor control is required in order to form various patterns and letter shapes, and perceptual skills are needed for appropriate letter size, spacing and orientation of letters. Handwriting is a complex skill, so there will be children in every classroom who struggle to master it. Handwriting fluency enhances academic attainment in a number of ways as it is used across the curriculum throughout the school day. An assessment of children’s fine motor or handwriting difficulties should be treated in a holistic manner. Fine motor skills are the collective skills and activities that involve using the hands and fingers, skills that require the small muscles of the hand to work together to perform precise and refined movements.
