Between the ages of 4 and 6 years, motor skills improve dramatically. Children this age are very energetic and usually enjoy running, jumping, throwing, catching, climbing, and turning somersaults.
Improved dexterity, skilled use of the hands and fingers, allows 4-year-olds to lace their shoes and allows 5-year-olds to tie them. Most 5-year-olds can pour liquid from a pitcher into a glass and print some letters. Six-year-olds show even greater skill.
By about age 5, children consistently use their right or left hand for most activities, and the hand used most often become the more skillful. A small percentage of people are ambidextrous, meaning they can use both hands with equal skill.
Use the table below to learn more about the average ages at which motor skills develop.
| Age | Small Motor Skills | Large Motor Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Years |
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| 5 Years |
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| 6 Years |
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