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8.
Fine Motor/Handwriting Center
*Sewing
- use a large seasonal shape (such as an apple, heart, turkey, etc. and
trace onto desired color of construction paper (or use old brown grocery
bags and paint it). Give each students 2 pieces of the shape. Hole punch
around the edge and students can sew with yarn all around the shape using
an over/under stitch. You can use large plastic needles or just the
yarn that has tape wrapped tightly around the end. Before closing
up stuff it with old newspaper for a 3 dimensional effect. These look good
hanging up for a colorful seasonal display.
*White
boards/Chalkboards - practice letters, numbers, words, sentences
Letter
writing - practice handwriting using stencils, foam letters, tracing
letters in salt, wipe off letter cards, handwriting sheets.
*Erase
laminated and wipe-off cards with used dryer sheets.
Handwriting
Links:
Pre-writing
fine motor skills - 8 printable worksheets from SEN Teacher
Amazing
Incredible Handwriting Worksheet Creator
Handwriting
for Kids - generate you own handwriting worksheets
Here are some great
activities to strengthen the small muscles of the hands. Set up a table
or desk for your fine motor activities and keep the items you are currently
using in a basket or tub. These are ideas I have done (lots
of OT help) and found on the Internet.
1) Pick up and sort
objects such as blocks, spools, coins, beans, marbles, cotton balls, pins,
buttons, straws, nails, nuts, bolts, popcorn, etc. and place them into
containers of varying sizes (i.e.egg cartons, cups, mugs,
jars, etc.).
2) Pick up objects
(blocks, cotton balls, counters, etc.) using various sized tongs, tweezers,
and strawberry pickers, transferring them between containers.
3) Stack objects (i.e.
coins, cards, checkers, blocks, etc.).
4) Screw and unscrew
objects such as nuts and bolts, caps from jars, etc.
5) String beads onto
a shoelace.
6) Cut straight and
curved lines/shapes drawn on paper, cloth, etc., with scissors.
7) Knead dough.
8) Wind thread on
a spool evenly.
9) Put rubber bands
around various size containers and objects.
10) Move spoonfuls
of small objects from one bowl to another.
11) Do up buttons,
zippers, hooks, etc.
12) Tie shoelaces.
13) Trace and copy
letters.
14) Do connect the
dot puzzles.
15) Solve mazes.
16) Manually sharpen
pencils.
17) Use a manual can
opener.
18) Tie a box with
string or ribbon.
19) Put paper clips
onto paper.
20) Use a stapler.
21) Remove staples
with a staple remover.
22) Place clothespins
on the edge of a box or container.
23) Dial a telephone.
24) Set a watch or
clock.
25) Pick up or move
marbles (or nuts in shells) using a melon baller.This could be made into
a game, i.e. take turns rolling a die. Whatever number turns up, pick up
that number of "marbles" and place them into an egg carton.
26) Use Wikki Stix
to form shapes, letters, numbers, and other designs. You may want to use
a template.
27) Color using the
flat side of a crayon. Put paper over leaves, stencils, and other objects
so that the child gets sensory feedback as he/she colors.
30) Use sprayer bottles
filled with water and sponges to have the child "clean" a desk or table,
and then squeeze the excess water into a dishpan. This is a great pre-scissor
skill activity.
31) Lace various sized
beads. Any activity involving the use of both hands is good to develop
bilateral integration.
32) Pegboards - different
sizes.
33) Chalkboard Writing
- write words with Q-tips dipped in water. They disappear when dry like
magic! Of course you can always use chalk as well!
34) "Pretzel letters"
-Form letters using refrigerated dough. Place on cookie sheet, brush with
egg white, sprinkle with salt and bake at 350 degrees 15-20 minutes.
34) Popcorn letters
- use copies of large block letters and glue popcorn on the letter forming
its shape.
35) Form letters with
yarn and glue on paper.
36) Practice writing
letters in shaving cream.
37) Form letters with
Wikki Sticks.
38) Glitter letters-
first trace with glue and then put glitter on and shake off excess.
39) Form letters with
cereal, pasta, buttons, or icing!
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