Embedded Files
As part of the ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) class, an occupational therapist works in partnership with the classroom teacher to provide an integrated service. Occupational therapy helps guide development fine motor and gross motor skills. Our areas of practice in the school are fine motor skills (ex: cutting, coloring, and writing), gross motor (ex: balance and jumping) and self help skills (ex: feeding). You may hear occupational therapy called “OT” for short. Each day during class, your child practices fine and gross motor skills. Practice and play is just as important as therapy!
As part of the ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) class, an occupational therapist works in partnership with the classroom teacher to provide an integrated service. Occupational therapy helps guide development fine motor and gross motor skills. Our areas of practice in the school are fine motor skills (ex: cutting, coloring, and writing), gross motor (ex: balance and jumping) and self help skills (ex: feeding). You may hear occupational therapy called “OT” for short. Each day during class, your child practices fine and gross motor skills. Practice and play is just as important as therapy!
The teacher provides daily fine motor practice in activities like stringing beads, using tongs, coloring, cutting, and drawing pre-writing lines. When I am in the classroom I provide a motor activity and consult with classroom staff so that they can implement motor goals throughout the school week.
The teacher provides daily fine motor practice in activities like stringing beads, using tongs, coloring, cutting, and drawing pre-writing lines. When I am in the classroom I provide a motor activity and consult with classroom staff so that they can implement motor goals throughout the school week.
Why do we need fine motor skills?
Why do we need fine motor skills?
Pick up small items
Pick up small items
Develop a mature pencil grasp for handwriting
Develop a mature pencil grasp for handwriting
Manipulate buttons and zippers
Manipulate buttons and zippers
Give us independence with daily tasks!
Give us independence with daily tasks!
Hand Development
Hand Development
The x-ray on the far left is the hand of a 3 year old and the x-ray on the right is the hand of a 7 year old. A 3 year old has not developed all of their hand bones a as much as a 7 year old. Hand development happens in young children when they use their hands to feed themselves, build, play with toys, draw, and color.
The x-ray on the far left is the hand of a 3 year old and the x-ray on the right is the hand of a 7 year old. A 3 year old has not developed all of their hand bones a as much as a 7 year old. Hand development happens in young children when they use their hands to feed themselves, build, play with toys, draw, and color.
Hand Separation Skills
Hand Separation Skills
The hand has an invisible line that runs between the middle and ring finger that divides the hand into 2 zones. The thumb, index, and middle finger make up the skilled side of the hand. The ring finger and pinky finger make up the stabilizing side of the hand. The skilled side of the hand is what we use to hold a pencil, cut with scissors, spin a top, turn a key, open a bottle lid, wind up a toy, string beads, and squeeze tongs. Encourage your child to play with toys like tops, beads, blocks, and playdough to develop the small side of the hand.
The hand has an invisible line that runs between the middle and ring finger that divides the hand into 2 zones. The thumb, index, and middle finger make up the skilled side of the hand. The ring finger and pinky finger make up the stabilizing side of the hand. The skilled side of the hand is what we use to hold a pencil, cut with scissors, spin a top, turn a key, open a bottle lid, wind up a toy, string beads, and squeeze tongs. Encourage your child to play with toys like tops, beads, blocks, and playdough to develop the small side of the hand.
Web Space
Web Space
The web space is the area between the thumb and index finger. The muscles of the web space help you form the "OK" sign. When you use tongs, pinch playdough, or cut with scissors you are helping strengthen the web space.
The web space is the area between the thumb and index finger. The muscles of the web space help you form the "OK" sign. When you use tongs, pinch playdough, or cut with scissors you are helping strengthen the web space.
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