Occupational Therapy for Kids - Fine Motor

Help Hand Dominance

2008-02-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some ways to help "Hand Dominance"

Help Hand Dominance

1. Draw on board, erase with non-dominate
2. Use stencils (non dominate holds in place)
3. Hammering toys
4. Plastic tools (screw driver & screws)
5. Stringing beads & pasta
6. Stacking blocks
7. Ripping paper
8. Pounding & manipulating clay
9. Ball games

Hand Preference

2008-01-14T06:33:00.001-08:00

Developed around the ages of 3-6 ½ years.

Left handers tend to show a very strong preference OR may develop later than others

Some students should equal development of both hands – encourage choosing a hand for school tool use.

Non dominate hand should be used as stabilizer

Hand Preference

2008-01-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

FINE MOTOR CHECKLIST 48-60 MONTHS

2007-02-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

Builds 5 block bridge through imitation

Builds structures with blocks or connecting toys

Completes inset puzzles with 5-10 peices

Creases paper with fingers

Cuts a triangle with 1/2" accuracy

Cuts 5" square with 1/2" accuracy

Cuts pictures from magazine

Draws a line from one object to another

Draws a person with head & three features (arms, legs)

Draws a square following adult imitation

Draws a recognizable pictures

Places key in lock and opens lock

Places small pegs in holes on a board

Prints own first name with model

Puts paper clip on paper

Strings small beads

Traces letters

Uses dominant hand

Write a few letters

Attempts first name

FINE MOTOR CHECKLIST 36-48 months

2007-02-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

Showing hand preference

Cuts dough or clay with cookie cutter

Cuts 5" paper in two

Folds paper in hald without model

Grasps pencil between thumb and forefinger

Imitates drawing cross

Imitates drawing diagonal line

Makes first designs

Places six pegs in pegboard

Puts tiny objects in small container

Puts a 6-8 puzzle together

Strings beads

Unscrews and screws 3" lid

Winds up toy

Bean Bags

2006-10-29T13:48:00.000-08:00

Toss bean bags to parnter.
Count how many times you can clap while the bean bag is in the air.

Additional Fun:
Count how many times your can spin/turn while bean bag is in the air.

Adapted Pumpkin Carving

2006-10-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

For those little ones that need a little more help making a Jack O Lantern at Halloween, here are my suggestions for a successful pumpkin experience....

1. Endure the mess of the pumpkin - EMBRACE the goo!! (see sensory post) Use the hands, not the scoopers and/or spoons
2. Instead of using a knife to cut the pumpkin, here are some alternative that the child can do with less assistance from mom/dad/family/etc.

MY FAVORITE : This is made by Pumpkin Masters and is currently VERY difficult to find. I recently purchased some online to have in my "stash" for therapy during Halloween time. Using the punch outs elimiates the need for precise fine motor skills, but yeilds a nice, clean result. The metal stencil is punched through the pumpkin with the wooden hammer. I LOVE THESE!

MY OTHER FAVORITE

Another Pumpkin Masters, this kit uses the same concept as the punch outs, but uses pegs (like Light Brite) to create a face or picture on a pumpkin. Another GREAT adapatation for pumpkin carving!

Clothespins

2006-10-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

Clothespins work the fingers and hands. Have the child squeeze the clothespin with the thumb and pointer finger to open and close the clothespin. You can have your child help you actually put clothes up to dry or have them put clothespins on the rim of a container.

Put In

2006-10-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

Use an old food container (cool whip, butter, sour cream, etc) and cut a circle in the top. You can judge the circle size based on what you want the child to put in the container and how much you want them to push it in. For example, if you put in cotton balls, I would make the circle cut out smaller than the cotton ball to help the child push and work at putting in.

Color!

2006-10-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

With my classroom starting a unit on colors, it's a perfect opportunity to create "color" necklaces from beads. Depending on your child's age and skill level, different sized beads may work more effectively than others. My students, who are identified being at least one year behind with their fine motor skills, will be beading with pony beads. Skill level also determines what type of string or twine you use. The smaller and bender the string the more difficult the task.

Tissue Paper Fun

2006-09-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

A fun way to use leftover peices of tissue paper is to rip it into small peices, roll into balls with the thumb and first fingers, and put the tissue paper balls on glue.

For example, I recently printed out a Blue's Clues pictures (coloring book blank) of Blue and used blue tissue paper to fill in Blue.

Controlling the glue as it comes outside the bottle is also good fine motor practice.

:)

Fall Leaves Fun

2006-09-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

Now that leaves are falling to ground, here's some fun activities to promote fine motor development:
1. Rubbings with crayons over leaves
2. Peel off leaf stickers and put on tree picture
3. Use finger paints and create fall pictures
4. Crunch leaves in fingers

Shopping List

2006-09-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

When developing your shopping list, give you child her/his own paper and crayon so that they can create a list, too! Allow them to write whatever they create with the crayon and ask them to interpret for you what they've written. To connect this activity with actual experiences, pick up some of the items that child has "written".

"Written" may include pictures, scribbles, made up letters, etc. Anything counts when the child is exploring writing experiences.

* Activities should be monitored by an adult to ensure safety.

Coupon Cutting

2006-09-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, share coupon cutting time with your child and have them help you cut out the coupons. If they cannot yet cut on the line, allow them to pretend cutting out the coupons by cutting the paper in places where you don't need the coupons.

Remember, use child sized, safe scissors and keep the thumb up when cutting.

* Activities should be monitored by an adult to ensure safety.

Introduction

2006-09-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

This is the first post on this blog designed to provide fun activities to promote fine motor skill development.