As we approach the start of a new school year, we wanted to share with you a few ideas to help children with fine motor control. Remember that establishing a proper pencil grip early on is important. One good way to do this is to first build hand muscles. You can do this by having children play with the following:
· use a hole punch
· build with small blocks
· play with spray bottles
· use squeeze toys like small squishy balls
· string beads
· pick up cotton balls with tweezers
· pop bubble wrap
· squeeze glue onto paper
· play with pay-doh (you can hide small objects in a clay ball and have children find them)
These activities can be games at home and school. Share one activity each week with families. Explain that using a pencil for a prolonged time too soon can result in a poor pencil grip. These “games” are more helpful than putting a pencil into a child’s hand too early. Undeveloped hand muscles may result in a bad habit.
We always suggest that pencil grips be used with preschoolers when writing is necessary. These help develop proper grips.
NAEYC – 2.C.03, 2.E.05.
Head Start – I.D. 1-4, VII.E.1.