Child Development Associate (CDA) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Manipulating playdough is an excellent activity for developing fine motor skills because it requires children to use their hands and fingers in precise and coordinated ways. This activity encourages various movements such as pinching, rolling, squeezing, and cutting, all of which strengthen the small muscles in the hands and improve dexterity.

Fine motor skills are critical for tasks that involve hand-eye coordination and the use of tools, which are essential in both academic and everyday contexts. Engaging with playdough allows children to explore their creativity while simultaneously practicing the skills necessary for writing, buttoning clothes, or using utensils, making it a highly beneficial activity for this purpose.

In contrast, listening to music, watching a puppet show, and playing tag outside are primarily sensory or gross motor activities that do not focus specifically on the development of fine motor skills. Listening to music and watching a puppet show engage auditory and visual senses without requiring detailed hand movements. Playing tag involves running and large body movements rather than the delicate manipulation required for fine motor development.