Participation in school activities requires both large and small motor movements. Groups of large muscles hold a student upright to walk and sit while groups of smaller muscles are needed to track words when reading, move a pencil to write or use science equipment safely. A strong and stable core body provides a solid base of support from which the eyes, arms, hands and legs are free to work with precision and control.
Fine Motor Development begins with good strong core muscles. This means that a child has to have good stability throughout the middle of their body, so that the outer parts of their body have a good base of support.
Activities to promote overall body strength and endurance
Print: Activities to Promote Overall Body Strength and Endurance
1) Many typical school activities can be done while the child is in different positions to help strengthen different muscle groups. Examples: Lie on stomach, sit with legs out or crossed, stand with the activity mounted to a wall or easel, kneel at a small table.
2) Under the table coloring - tape paper under a low table such as a coffee table and have the student color with arms working against gravity. This helps develop all the muscle groups throughout their bodies and can help them stay alert and ready to learn. "Coloring like Michelangelo"
3) Do activities on a vertical surface using chalkboards, bulletin boards, easels, dry erase boards and paper taped to the wall or a door. Vertical activities placed at or above eye level help to strengthen arms and shoulders. Other items such as pegboards, for boards, puzzles, magnets can possibly be placed on an easel.
4) Use squirt or spray bottles and clean water to "draw" on a sidewalk, driveway or closed garage door.
5) Dribble a basketball or other type of ball. Racket activities - badminton, ping pong, etc. Go bowling.
6) Pull a weighted wagon, push a weighted cart. Carry in and put away groceries. Take out the trash, carry a full laundry basket.
7) Wall push-ups - standing an arm’s length away from wall; keeping body straight; bend arms and touch nose to wall then straighten arms.
8) Donkey kicks - place palms of hands on floor and kick feet up and out to the side.
9) Play tug-o-war. Climb on playground equipment.
10) Scooping and pouring heavy materials builds forearm strength and stability. Stir cookie dough, knead bread dough.
11) Play restaurant and have your student be the server. They can carry trays with unbreakable weighted items to build strength.
12) Wiping off the table, washing the car, cleaning windows, sweeping, raking, hammering.
An interesting read: How Exercise can Boost a Child's Brain http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/how-exercise-can-boost-the-childs-brain/?_r=1