Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Motor Development

Goal: Children develop small muscle control and hand-eye coordination to manipulate objects and work with tools.

Skill Progression: Manipulation/Tool use

Age: 48-54 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 48-54 Months.

Provide opportunities for the children to discover treasures by opening “secret” treasure boxes.

The adult places one or more locked boxes in the dramatic play area. Put fun items in the boxes related to the dramatic play theme and have keys available to open the boxes (or, better yet, give clues for finding the keys).

The child takes small key, places it with an accurate orientation in a lock, and rotates the wrist with appropriate force to unlock the lock.

Children love opening locks, so early childhood educators and parents who include opportunities for use of lock and key have a strong motivator for practicing fine motor skills. Parents can let children use a key to unlock the door when coming home and provide a “secret” locked diary for drawing in and practicing writing.