This year, the kindergarten classes at my school have many students with weak fine motor skills. It seems as though each year the number of children who lack the ability to control a pencil is increasing. We now have occupational therapists working with several children. Many children with fine motor deficiencies are reluctant to practice. Fine motor activities are hard for them and their muscles are weak. Because practice is exactly what these children need, teachers and parents must create activities that are both fun and beneficial. Below, I have listed some activities that my children enjoy.
Strengthen hand and arm muscles by having children write on an elevated easel. By having to hold crayons or paintbrushs up, the children use more muscles. In addition, allow the children to color while on their stomachs. Again, more muscles are being used because the children have to support themselves.
Another activity that requires children to apply more pressure is writing on a plastic canvas. The canvas, sold in art stores, has holes and makes it more difficult for children to write. Tape a sheet of paper on top of the canvas and ask children to write letters. They will need to apply more pressure and use more muscles to create solid lines.
Lacing is also an activity that kindergarten students at my school participate in frequently. We create patterns that correspond with our themes or holidays. Children use hole punches to punch holes along the perimeter of a shape. They then use plastic needles and yarn to lace in and out of the holes.
Other ideas that require students to use fine motors skills include asking students to pick up small objects with tweezers, button and unbutton cloth, cut various types of textures (paper, felt, cloth, thick poster board, etc.), screw lids on jars, and manipulate small blocks or puzzle pieces.
My district also has adopted a writing program, Handwriting Without Tears, which addresses the needs of children with weak fine motor skills. The program suggests not allowing children to use anything but a crayon until kindergarten. Pencils and markers do not produce the ‘drag’ that crayons produce. Children feel the creation of each stroke when using a crayon. When children enter kindergarten, the program suggests using small pencils, such as the ones used at golf courses. These pencils require students to use a tighter grip.
Although parents should not be greatly alarmed if their preschool child has weak fine motor skills, it is a good idea to try to assess the child’s skills and carry out strengthening activities before the child begins school. Again, the activities do not have to be considered academic. They can be introduced to the child as arts and crafts projects or games.
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