Is it normal for my school-age child to still have trouble tying shoes or writing neatly?

Fine motor skills develop at different rates. Most children can tie shoes by ages 6–7 and develop legible handwriting by ages 7–8, but some take longer — especially boys, who often develop fine motor skills later than girls. Practice helps: lacing activities, clay work, drawing, and using scissors all build hand strength and coordination. If your child struggles significantly compared to peers across multiple fine motor tasks, or if handwriting is genuinely illegible by age 8–9, consult your pediatrician about an occupational therapy evaluation.