The Fine Motor Area in the Year 1 classroom supports the continued development of hand strength, control, and coordination, which are essential for writing and everyday tasks. Children are encouraged to refine movements such as grasping, squeezing, stretching, rolling, shaping, and cutting through purposeful activities.

These activities include the use of clay, play dough, threading beads, puzzles, scissors, and construction resources, enabling children to explore shape, size, texture, and spatial awareness while strengthening their fine motor control in fun and engaging ways.

As children move into Year 1, these skills directly support pencil control, letter formation, and tool use, as well as developing confidence in independent tasks like fastening zips and buttons or organising their belongings.

Children are provided with open-ended Branching Out Activities and directed Branching Out Challenges weekly. A WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like) is provided to model expectations, which children can copy, adapt, or build upon depending on their confidence and challenge level.

Completed challenges are uploaded to SeeSaw, allowing families to view and celebrate their child’s progress once connected to their account.