Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists. We rely on these skills to do key tasks in school, work, and in everyday life.

These small movements come naturally to most people that we usually don’t think about them. Fine motor skills are complex and involve a coordinated effort between the brain and muscles. They’re built on gross motor skills that let us make bigger movements, like running or jumping.

Here are some examples of when we use fine motor skills:

• Holding a pen or pencil
• Drawing pictures and writing neatly
• Using a keyboard
• Using scissors, rulers, and other tools

People also need fine motor skills to do daily tasks like getting dressed and brushing their teeth.