Touching each of the Cuddly Koala’s fingers individually while enjoying fingerplay will help them to begin to recognize each finger as separate from the others. When they were babies they moved all their fingers together at the same time. As they grow and develop, children learn to move their fingers individually, beginning with the thumb and pointer finger. The ability to move each finger, one at a time, is called finger isolation and it is vital to fine motor development. It contributes to the ability to hold a pencil correctly, use scissors, button and zip clothes, tie shoelaces, and play a variety of musical instruments.
