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Preschooler Development Questions
Expert Answers About Your Child
A: You are not at all wrong to be concerned, but do not overreact and panic! Most children who turn 4 are starting to be able to draw a circle and will start over the year to draw figures. However, drawing is not the only fine motor skill developing at this time. Take a look at other dimensions of fine motor development and see how he is doing there. Most 4-year-olds can cut paper, build a three block bridge, build an eight-block tower, dress/undress a doll, pour from a pitcher, button buttons with large holes. If these are skills that your son is also not able to do, you may want to try fun activities that encourage small muscle development and eye-hand coordination.
Manipulating Play Doh is an excellent activity, as is finger-painting. Making letters or figures with your fingers is an easy and fun way to start. Also, activities with small balls (Nerf, Koosh balls) that involve use of fingers to throw and catch as well as eye-hand coordination are very helpful. Control of the small muscles can also be gained using jigsaw puzzles, construction toys and snap beads. Some tools for writing are easier to use than others. Markers and felt-tipped pens are easiest for the child to use because they require very little pressure to achieve the desired results. Chalk is the next easiest, then crayons, and last pencils.
Activities that are fun and beneficial for young children are cutting out magazine pictures and gluing them in a book, making cards or letters for Dad or grandparents, making presents for friends that involve cutting, coloring and gluing.
If your child is indeed behind, it is not by much, and his preschool should give him ample opportunities to catch up. Try to make sure that all activities are fun and geared to his interests!