The Dynamics of Children’s Fine Motor Skill Development:

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Natural Material–Based Collage Activities

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effect of natural-material collage activities on the fine motor skills of children aged 5–6 years in Group B.

Research Method: This study employed a quantitative approach using a one-group pretest–posttest design. The participants were 15 children enrolled in Group B during the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and performance assessments and analyzed using a paired-samples t-test.

Results and Discussion: Following the intervention, 60.00% of the children achieved the Very Well Developed (BSB) category in hand–eye coordination, while 53.34% reached the Developing as Expected (BSH) category in both manipulative movements and finger flexibility. The paired-samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores, t(14) = 11.515, p < .001, indicating a significant improvement in children's fine motor skills following the intervention.

Implications: The findings suggest that natural-material collage activities can serve as an engaging and accessible instructional strategy for enhancing fine motor development in early childhood education. The use of readily available natural materials also supports the integration of locally sourced learning resources into classroom activities.

Originality: This study contributes empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural-material collage activities in improving children's fine motor skills, particularly across three developmental dimensions: hand–eye coordination, manipulative movements, and finger flexibility.