- Rodgers School
- Motor Skills
- Fine Motor
- Developing Hand Skills
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Parent Activities to Develop Hand Skills in Young ChildrenWrist StabilizationStabilization of the muscles on the front and back of the wrist is necessary to shape the hand to perform fine motor tasks with the tiny muscles of the hand, which are suited for speed and precision. The wrist joints should be slightly extended (back) or straight for fine motor tasks.Activities:1) Do various walks with the palms flat on the ground and supporting the body: wheelbarrow, crab, bear2) Work in a vertical orientation: Using vertical surfaces such as easel paper taped to walls; the shower wall to write, color or paint; Lite Brite; Magna Doodle; Peg boards3) Use rolling pins to flatten materials like clay, putty, or to crush crackers by keeping hands open on pin and not using the handlesDevelopment of ArchesThe arches of the hand direct skilled movement of the fingers and grade the power of the fingers.Activities:1) Rub the side of a crayon or chalk against paper or a blackboard2) Roll putty by cupping the hands together to form a hollow in the palm and curving fingers3) Cup hands to roll a pair of dice within them4) Cut material or food with a pizza cutter5) Seal zip lock bags by pinching the fingertips in opposition to the thumb6) Play a spider game by placing fingertips of each hand opposite each other. Spread fingers apart and then push together againSeparation of the Sides of the HandDevelopment of precise use of the hand requires that the power side of the hand (ring finger & pinky) provide support to the knuckles and to the skilled side (index and middle finger) so they can develop precision in opposition with the thumbActivities:1) Squeeze the trigger of a spray bottle with index and middle fingers while holding the bottle neck with the thumb and ring/pinky fingers2) Roll small balls of material (straw wrappers, play doh, putty) between the thumb/index/middle fingers while ring/pinky fingers ar;e held bent and still3) Snap fingers to music4) Play finger pattern games where the child is told to lift/separate/bend specific fingers. Try lifting the index finger from the other fingers and lifting index/middle from ring/pinky when the palms are on the table.5) Pick up small objects (mini marshmallows, Cheerios) with the thumb, index and middle fingers while the palms are downStrengthening and Precision Skill of IntrinsicsThe intrinsics (or tiny muscles within the hand) are important for speed and dexterity and writing and other fine motor activitiesStrengthening Activities:1) Hold and then pinch putty, play doh between bent fingers2) Play tug-of-war with objects such as coffee stirrers, or plastic lacing3) Wringing out sponges or clothes to water plants or while playing in the tub4) Pick up objects with tweezers such as small beads, Cheerios, beans, mini-marshmallows5) Dropping a specific number of drops of water from an eyedropper6) Use a hole punch for art projectsPrecision Skill Activities:1) Finger spelling of letters and names in American Sign Language2) Rolling material between finger tips3) Turn a row of pennies from heads to tails using both hands4) String beads or lace cards by inserting tip of lace through the opening rather than placing object over the tip5) Feed a pipe cleaner or coffee stirrer through a snug opening in cardboard or plastic6) Spinning a top or opening jar lids7) Play games with cards, coins, chips, or pegs
Last Modified on June 20, 2014