Without sufficient in-hand manipulation a child may be slow, clumsy, or unable to complete certain fine motor activities. They may also use two hands for the manipulation of materials, when using one hand is much more efficient. Classroom Activities: Cut play dough with scissors or plastic Lay out coins or buttons on the table and knife, then role play dough into tiny balls. have a contest to see who can flip the Flatten play and cut with a pizza coins over the fastest (without moving cutter. coins to the edge of the table). Practice manipulating buttons or snaps on Use large tweezers to pick up fruit snacks shirt. or small marshmallows. Open and close Ziploc bags. Play Bugs” game or “Bed “Operation.” Lacing activities or lacing shoes. String beads, noodles, buttons, and Have children open/close various size jars cheerios. and lids, particularly lids that can be Remove key from key ring with both twisted off. and place it into a lock with one hand. Moving coins from palm to finger tips and Play Connect Four have child pick up – place them in a slot container. three pieces at a time and hold them in his Dice games. or her hand. Handwriting Introduction Handwriting is an important form of communication and expression for people of all ages both academically and outside the academic world. Because of the fine motor skill and precision required for handwriting it can be a difficult and frustrating skill for children to develop. Several skills are required for handwriting which can be difficult for children to manage all at once. Some students may only be able to focus on one handwriting rule at a time. The following are aspects that may present as difficulties while writing: Line adherence Pencil grasp Spacing between letters and words Stabilization of writing hand Letter formation Stabilization of with supporting Letter reversals hand Organization of page Ability to copy from near or far Appropriate letter capitalization distance Sizing of letters
Without sufficient in-hand manipulation a child may be slow, clumsy, or unable to complete certain fine motor activities. They may also use two hands for the manipulation of materials, when using one hand is much more efficient. Classroom Activities: Cut play dough with scissors or plastic knife, then role play dough into tiny balls. Flatten play and cut with a pizza cutter. Practice manipulating buttons or snaps on shirt. Open and close Ziploc bags. Lacing activities or lacing shoes. Have children open/close various size jars and lids, particularly lids that can be twisted off. Moving coins from palm to finger tips and place them in a slot container. Dice games. Lay out coins or buttons on the table and have a contest to see who can flip the coins over the fastest (without moving coins to the edge of the table). Use large tweezers to pick up fruit snacks or small marshmallows. Play “Bed Bugs” game or “Operation.” String beads, noodles, buttons, and cheerios. Remove key from key ring with both and place it into a lock with one hand. Play Connect Four – have child pick up three pieces at a time and hold them in his or her hand. Handwriting Introduction Handwriting is an important form of communication and expression for people of all ages both academically and outside the academic world. Because of the fine motor skill and precision required for handwriting it can be a difficult and frustrating skill for children to develop. Several skills are required for handwriting which can be difficult for children to manage all at once. Some students may only be able to focus on one handwriting rule at a time. The following are aspects that may present as difficulties while writing: Line adherence Spacing between letters and words Letter formation Letter reversals Organization of page Appropriate letter capitalization Sizing of letters Pencil grasp Stabilization of writing hand Stabilization of with supporting hand Ability to copy from near or far distance
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