Below is a list of activities that will help your child develop fine motor skills that are essential for performing many functional tasks.
- tying shoes - doing puzzles (even puzzles with the pieces that have knobs) - turning pages in a book - pinching objects between fingers (e.g. Play-Doh) - playing the game Operation (as seen in the photo above) - beading activities (e.g. stringing beads from a kit, Cherrios, Fruit Loops, macaroni) - manipulating buttons and/or snaps - zipping and unzipping (this can include Ziploc bags) - using scissors - tying knots with string/yarn - creating with Unifix Cubes - maintaining proper pencil grip and writing - painting (with a brush)/drawing with pencil, crayon, or marker - creating with Silly Putty - buckling and unbuckling - isolating finger movement (e.g. flexing the index finger) - creating with modeling clay - coloring with small or broken crayons (forces one to hold it correctly between the index and thumb) - properly holding utensils - games (e.g. Pickup Sticks and Connect 4) - building with Legos - storing items in containers with screw lids that need to be opened and closed as needed - finger painting - squeezing water from a sponge (use two bowls, one empty/one filled with water), soak up water from one bowl and squeeze it into the other until filled - make paperdolls - play string games (e.g. Cat's Cradle) - playing Mancala - depositing coins (two or three at a time) in to a small bank - tearing paper (tear art) - clothespin activities - playing with squirt toys (e.g. bath toys) - crumpling small pieces of paper (e.g. for an art project to make snow ball, pebbles, etc.) This is not a complete list as there are many more activities that can be added. Are there any activities you know/use that are not on this list?
2 Comments
2/8/2016 03:36:17 am
HI, Randy!
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Randy
2/10/2016 08:02:35 am
Absolutely Wendy! Thank you for sharing. Children need less swiping on screens and more play with manipulatives!
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