Fine+Motor+Activities

Fine motor skills can be defined as coordination of small muscle movements which occur e.g., in the fingers, usually in coordination with the eyes. In application to motor skills of hands (and fingers) the term dexterity is commonly used. The abilities which involve the use of hands, develop over time, starting with primitive gestures such as grabbing at objects to more precise activities that involve precise hand-eye coordination. Fine motor skills, are skills that involve a refined use of the small muscles controlling the hand, fingers, and thumb. The development of these skills allows one to be able to complete tasks such as writing, drawing, and buttoning. Below are activities to promote development of these muscles: • Putty or play dough; pinching using a rolling pin; cookie cutters and cutting putty with child safety scissors. • Clothespins • Cutting construction paper • Hole punchers - Punch out circles and glue on paper making a design. • Picking up objects with salad tongs or tweezers. Some games using tweezers are Operation and Bed Bugs • Squirt guns • Practice using turkey basters and eye droppers. Provide water colored with food dye and a container to transfer the water between or put dots on a paper. • Play games such as Jacks, Pick-Up Sticks, and Marbles (Kerplunk) • Spin tops • Rolling clay balls between thumb and 2 fingers. • Tiddly winks • Turning playing cards over quickly such as in the game of Slap Jack. • Pegboards–different sizes and patterns. • Folding paper– make hats, or anything else that comes to mind. • Place colander upside down and place colored toothpicks through holes or spaghetti through the holes. • Snapping fingers Pinch clothespins (using different sizes and strength for pinch) and perhaps use them for teaching colors or anything in sequence. • Lite Brite Improving Postural Strength and Proximal Shoulder Stability Postural stability is necessary to assume and maintain functional classroom postures. For example, sitting at a desk with an upright posture, sitting for circle time and/or standing in line. Postural stability is also important for supporting hand skills and writing. Below are activities to promote postural stability and shoulder stability • While watching TV or playing games, have your child lay on his/her stomach, leaning on his elbows. This is a great way to improve his strength in his shoulders and arms. • Wheelbarrow walk on open palms with support at mid-calf or ankles. • Painting or writing on a vertical surface (easel or tape paper to the wall) • Crab walking • Swimming • Zoom ball (flying football) found in toy stores • Swing on trapeze, monkey bars, or a climbing ladder • Play some commercial toys that can be played on the vertical surface such as: Magnadoodle, Lite Brite, Battleship.
 * Fine Motor/Hand Strengthening **