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PreKindersFineMotorSkillsBy KARENCOX (HTTPS : / /WWW.PREKINDERS .COM/AUTHOR/KEC2875/ ) |A�liateDisclosure(/disclosure/)
Ideasforimproving�nemotorskillsinPre-K/Preschoolchildren.
Findmore�nemotorideasontheFineMotorSkillsResourcePage(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor/)
FineMotorSkillsisoneofthemainareasIsoughttoimproveinmyPre-Kclassroomthispastyear(2008-09).Ithink�nemotorisanareawhichisoftenoverlooked,yetitissoimportant.Finemotorskillsarethefoundationchildrenneedbeforetheylearnhandwriting in order to have proper pencil grasp and control of a writing instrument
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handwriting,inordertohaveproperpencilgraspandcontrolofawritinginstrument.
Mygoalsweretoincreasethe�nemotormaterialsavailableinourclassroomenvironment,andtoplanactivitiesandmaterialsthatareinterestingandfunsothatchildrenwouldbemotivatedtousethemandwouldchoosethemduringtheirfreechoicetime.Mostoftheseactivitiesuse“foundmaterials”thatcanbeborrowed,donated,orpurchasedinexpensively,ratherthancommerciallyproducedandsoldinaneducationalcatalog.Belowareseveralofthe�nemotorskillsactivitiesmyclassdidthisyear.AfewoftheseideaswereborrowedfromMontessori(andI’venotedthosebelow).
WaterDropswithSuctionCupsThelittlesuctioncupsonthebottomofthesebathtubshapesbecomeminibowlswhenturnedupsidedownandusedinthisactivity.(ThesewerepurchasedattheDollarTree.)Childrenusea�ngergrasptosqueezeonedropofcoloredwaterintoeachlittlebowlonthedish.[IdeaborrowedfromMontessori]
BeadswithSuctionCupsThesearethesamebathtubshapesasintheaboveactivity.Childrenusetheirthumbandfore�ngertograspeachlittlebeadandplaceitonabowlontheshape.Thebeads
g g p p pareponybeadspurchasedfromacraftstore.[IdeaborrowedfromMontessori]
ClotheslineChildrenusetheir�nemotormusclestosqueezetheclothespinstoclipeachpieceofclothingtotheclothesline.Itiedapieceofthickstringtothehandlesofawoodentraytomaketheclothesline,andusedminiclothespins(althoughtheregularsizedclothespinscanbeusedaswell).TheclothesareBarbiedollclothespurchasedatadollarstore.Asanalternative,youcouldcutoutshapesofshirtsandpantsfromfelt.
ClothespinsonaBoxChildrensqueezetheclothespinsandclipthemtothesidesofthebox.Tomaketheactivitymoreinteresting,Iwrotelettersondotstickersandplacedthedotstickersaroundthesidesoftheboxes.Iwrotelettersontheclothespinssothechildrenwouldmatchthelettersontheclothespinstothelettersontheboxes.Otherskillscouldbeused,e.g.colors,numbers,beginningsounds.Thisissimilartoactivitieswherechildrenclipclothespinstoapaperplateorcardstockcircle;however,inmyexperience,thosewere�imsyandawkwardtouse,whichiswhyIliketheboxbetter.Anysturdyboxcouldbeused(shoebox,postalbox).Theboxesinthispicturewerestackinggiftboxesthatheldchocolatecoverednuts(aChristmasgift),andtheyworkedoutperfectly.
Nuts&BoltsTheselargernutsandboltscanbepurchasedindividuallyathardwarestores.Thecostisusuallynomorethan$0.40to$0.50each.Childrenusetheir�ngers,hands,and
y gwrists,coordinatingbothhandswhilegraspingandtwistingthemetalnutsontothebolts.
Sewing/LacingCardsThesecanbepurchasedormadewithposterboardandaholepuncher.Useshoelacesorplasticlacing.Tieoneendofthelacetooneholeofthecard.Childrenlacethestringthrougheachhole.Thesecanbemadetomatchdi�erentthemesorholidays.
PlateSewingTielengthsofyarntoplasticyarnneedles,andknottheend.Children“sew”theyarnonastyrofoamplatebypushingtheneedleinandoutthroughtheplate.
y p y p g g p
StringingCutStrawsCutplasticdrinkingstrawsintosmallpieces,about1-inch.(Cuttingthestrawsisanothergreat�nemotoractivityforkids.)Tieyarntoaplasticneedle,oruseplasticlaces,andknottheend.Childrenstringthestrawsontotheyarnorlace.
StringingBeadsChildrenstringponybeadsontopipecleaners.
BeanGluingChildrendrawasimplepictureonapieceofconstructionpaperwithapencil.Theytracethepencillineswithglueandgluethebeansontothedesign.Grippingthebeanswiththeir�ngersisgood�nemotorpractice.
SeedsandTweezersChildrenpickupdi�erenttypesofseedswithtweezersandsortthembytypeintothecups.
UnifixCubesorInterlockCubes
Childrenpushthecubeswiththeirhandstohookthemtogether.Uni�xcubesconnectononeendandcanmakealong“train”.InterlockCubesconnectondi�erentsidesandcanmakedi�erentthings,forexamplethedogsthechildrenweremakinginthephoto.
MosaicInadvance,cutconstructionpaperinto1-inchlongstrips.Children“snip”thestripsintosmallerpiecesandgluethemontotheirpapertomakeamosaic.Thisactivityisgreatforchildrenwhoarenotyetskilledwithscissors,butneedcuttingpracticebecausetheycansnipthepaperwithonecut.
EyedropperArtChildrenuseeyedropperstodropliquidwatercolorontoaco�ee�lterorpapertowel.(IuseColorationsLiquidWatercolorfromDiscountSchoolSupply.)Ifliquidwatercolorisnotavailable,youcancolorwaterwithfoodcolor.Alsoseemyblogpost(https://www.prekinders.com/2009/10/fall-�ne-motor-fun-1/)foradaptingthisactivityforholidaysorthemes.
PaperClipsThechildreninmyclassarealwayswantingtousepaperclipsbecausetheyseemeusethem,soIsetupthisactivityinthe�nemotorcenter.Icutsquaresofcoloredconstructionpaperandplacedthemonthetrayalongwithcoloredpaperclips.Childrenstackthepapers(allofthesamecolor)andclipthemwiththematchingcoloredpaperclip.Thiswaschallengingforsomechildrentomanipulatethepaperclip,buttheyloveddoingit,anditgavethemanopportunitytousepaperclipswithpermission.
DottoDotIprintedouttheGeoboardDotPaper(http://www.center.edu/BLACKLINES/001-061/017-019.pdf)fromtheMathTheirWaywebsiteforthisactivity(Iusedthesizeonthesecondpage).IaddedPipSqueakmarkers,whicharegreatforyoungchildrenbecausetheyareshort.Childrendrawlineswiththemarkerstoconnectthedotsonthepaper.
ToothpickPunchTodothisactivity,cutsquaresofconstructionpaper(Icutmine6×6inches).Drawanumeral,letter,orsimpleshapewithaSharpie.Iplacedastackofthesepapersinthe�nemotorcenter,alongwithtoothpicksandacarpetsquare.Childrenplacethepaperonthecarpetsquareandusethetoothpicktopunchholesallalongtheblacklines.Whentheyaredone,theycanholdtheirpaperuptothelightandseethelightshiningthroughtheholes.Kidsenjoyitandit’sgreat�nemotorpractice!
PinchingSandSandartisagreat�nemotoractivitybecausechildrencanpinchthesandwiththeir�ngerstoapplyittotheirartwork.Provideasimpleoutline(orhavethechildrendrawone),asmallbowlofwhiteglue,asmallbowlofcoloredsand,anda“gluebrush”.Ibuythecheappaintbrusheswithsti�bristlesthataresoldinapackagefor$1atdollarstores.Thesebrushesarenotagoodenoughqualityforpainting,buttheymakegreatgluebrushes.Childrenpainttheglueontheirpaperwiththebrush,pinchsomesandwiththeir�ngers,andsprinkleitovertheglue.Placeapan,tray,orpaperplateonthetableforchildrentoshakeo�theexcesssand.
InsectWrappingChildrenwraptheplasticinsectswithpiecesofwhiteyarn(“spiderwebs”).Whentheyare�nishedwrappingalloftheinsects,theyunwrapthemandplacetheyarnbackinthebowl.Wedothisactivityduringastudyofbugsandspiders.
BirdsEatingWormsCutpipecleanersintosmallerpiecesandshapethemtomakeseveral“worms”.Placethewormsonabrowncarpetsquare(thisrepresentsthedirt).Childrenuseaclothespinasabirdbeakandcatchthewormswiththeirbeak.Astheycatchworms,theyplacetheminabasketuntilallofthewormshavebeencollected.
MarblesandMelonScoops
Childrenscoopthemarbleswithmelonscoopsandplacethemintheicecubetray.Thisicecubetraywasfoundatakitchendiscountstore.Alsopostedat FineMotorintheSensoryTable(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-sensory/). Seemyblogpost(https://www prekinders com/2009/10/fall �ne motor fun 4/) for a Halloween adaption
(https://www.prekinders.com/2009/10/fall-�ne-motor-fun-4/)foraHalloweenadaptiontothisactivity.
PouringChildrenpoursomethingfromonebottletoanother.Istartedouthavingthempourpopcornseeds.Theycanlatertrypouringsand,andthenwater.
ColorMixingChildrenmixprimary-coloredwatertomakesecondarycolors.Thebucketinthemiddleisfordumpingthewaterwhen�nished,ortostartover.AlsopostedontheSensoryTable(https://www.prekinders.com/sensory-table/)page.
KnobbedPuzzlesChildrenexercisethe�ngersusedforapencilgraspwhenpickinguppuzzlepiecesthathaveknobsorpegs.
LegosAbitobvious,butshouldnotbeforgotten.
PlayDough
Anoldstand-by.Alsoseemywebpageformoreplaydoughactivities(../play-dough-ideas/).
PegBoardsAnotheroldstand-by.
AdditionalFineMotorPostsMoreFineMotorActivities(https://www.prekinders.com/more-�ne-motor-skills/)FallFineMotorFun#1:Droppers(https://www.prekinders.com/2009/10/fall-�ne-motor-fun-1/)FallFineMotorFun#2:ToothpickPunch(https://www.prekinders.com/2009/10/fall-�ne-motor-fun-2/)
FallFineMotorFun#3:Tweezers(https://www.prekinders.com/2009/10/fall-�ne-motor-fun-3/)FallFineMotorFun#4:Spooning(https://www.prekinders.com/2009/10/fall-�ne-motor fun 4/)
motor-fun-4/)FallFineMotorFun#5:PinchingSand(https://www.prekinders.com/2009/10/fall-�ne-motor-fun-5/)
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ABOUTKARENCOX
KarenisthefounderofPreKinders.com.Shealsoworksasafull-timePre-KteacherinGeorgia.Readmore...(/about/)
Comments
MeryleenfelixsaysMay10,2014at3:50pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-112057)
Love,love,loveyoursite!UsingalotofyourwonderfulideasinmyMontessori(2-4)mixedclassroom.Thanksforsharing:–)
Reply
JudysaysAugust7,2014at11:17am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-258523)
Yourideasareveryvaluable.thanks.
Reply
WathsalasaysSeptember12,2014at6:41am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-366563)
Ijustloveyourwonderfulideas.IusemostoftheminmyPreschoolclass(agebetween3-4).Kidsenjoyeverything.Theyaskifthereisanythingnewalwayswhenthey�nishoneidea.Keepsharingithelpslotsofteachers.
Reply
MaureensaysSeptember20,2014at12:13pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-394175)
Thankyousomuch.Mysonisstrugglingwiththe�nemotoractivitiesinkindergartenandIwaslookingforfunthingswecoulddoathometopracticetheskills.Thesearegreatideas.
Reply
DaniellesaysOctober10,2014at5:24am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-475135)
Thankyousomuchforsharing!Ineededhelpwith�ndingfunactivitiestohelpmysonimprovehis�nemotorskillsandthesearefantastic!!!!
Reply
Elim(http://Followthechild.org)saysOctober20,2014at11:10pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-540811)
HiKaren,AsaMontessoriToddlerHouseDirector,IamveryhappytoseewebsiteslikethisthatpromotesMontessorimaterialsthatarepurposeful,cheapandverye�ectivein
developmentof�nemotor.Keepsharinggoodthingsforthechildren!Elim
Reply
akshatasaysNovember13,2014at4:02am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-743332)
alltheseareverysimpleyetveryhelpfulactivities..canbeeasilytaughtandcarriedout..LOVEDIT
Reply
TaraYoungsaysDecember7,2014at3:24pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-890131)
Thanksforsharingtheseideas.Myfouryearoldwasrecently“diagnosed”withsome�nemotorskillsde�citssowewerelookingforideaswecouldimplementathometohelphimout.
Reply
PinalsaysJanuary10,2015at3:06am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1031174)
Simplylovedyourideas!Thankyouforsharingthem.
Reply
lorisaysJ 19 2015 2 40 (h // ki d /�
January19,2015at2:40pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1062100)
i’minlovewithyoursite!!!itreallyisagreathelp!�
Reply
MegsaysApril15,2015at9:53am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1260105)
HiKaren,JustcameacrossthisgreatlistasI’mlookingforideastorecommendtoparents.I’manOTthatevaluatesyoungchildrenbutlookingatyourpostIwanttobeapreschoolteacheranddoallthesefunactivities!(Especiallythebugwrapping.IcouldseedoingthataroundHalloweenandmakingthemmummies�
Reply
KarenCox(http://prekinders.com/)saysApril15,2015at10:20pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1260870)
Thankyou,Meg!
Reply
LydiasaysAugust26,2015at3:04pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1287646)
Where did you get the wooden trays with the handles?
Wheredidyougetthewoodentrayswiththehandles?
Reply
KarenCox(http://prekinders.com/)saysAugust26,2015at6:05pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1287669)
ThewoodentraysarefromMichaels
Reply
ChrissaysJanuary11,2016at7:41pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1334751)
HiKaren,Iabsolutelyloveyoursite.TherearesomanyamazingideasthatIwillbeusingthisyearwithmy3yearolds.Thankyouforputtingitalltogether.
Reply
SineadsaysMay25,2016at2:55pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1368387)
HiKaren,I’vejustcomeacrossyoursite.my5yearoldboyishavingdi�culties(�nemotor)atschoolandithinkiwillbetryingoutyoursuperideasoverthesummertohelphimout.-
Reply
SawisaysJ 22 2016 2 09 (h // ki d /�
June22,2016at2:09pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1375096)
Lovetheideashere!Thankyousomuchforsharing�
Reply
MANASMAITYsaysApril21,2017at7:01am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1439346)
Manymanythanksforyourhomemade�nemotoractivities.
Reply
sanasaysNovember26,2017at10:07pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1472000)
AmazinglybeautifulIwouldsay,yourideashelpedalotinmycounsellingsessionswithkids…muchlove!
Reply
TarasaysMarch21,2018at8:49am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1483066)
IamanOccupationalTherapistwhoseespre-schoolersandkindergartenersexclusively.Yourideasaresoinventiveandreallyhelpsupport�nemotordevelopmentineasyandfunways!Thanksforallthegreatideas!
Reply
KarenCox(http://prekinders.com/)saysMarch21,2018at10:07pm(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1483114)
ThankyouTara!
Reply
ShaylaCademis(https://www.yourtherapysource.com/�nemotor.html)saysJune13,2019at11:41am(https://www.prekinders.com/�ne-motor-skills/#comment-1516986)
Ilovetheideatodoplatesewingwithstyrofoamplatesandyarntoincrease�nemotorskillsandtocreateafunartproject!Mychildrenarestartingtogettotheagewheretheycanstartpracticingtheir�nemotorabilities,soI’vebeentryingto�ndfunactivitiesforthemtodoso.I’llhavetokeeptheseideasinmindandhopefully�ndsomeothergreatresourcestoincreasetheirlearningand�nemotorabilities!
Reply
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