Apr. 18-22, 2022:

Ocean Animals

Parent Corner

At school we are always trying to think of fun ways to improve a child's fine motor skills. Working on hand strength and dexterity will set the stage for better writing skills. Here are some things you can try at home to encourage development of fine motor skills:

1. Lacing activities: Beads and string or pipe cleaners, and lacing cards, all help with hand eye coordination and manipulation of small objects. You can also work on patterns of colors or shapes, and counting, with beads.

2. Pom poms and an ice cube tray: Place a pom in each section of an ice cube tray or egg carton, and have your child use tweezers, tongs, or clothespins to pick them up. This is also a good counting/1:1 correspondence activity.

3. Spider Web Game! https://funlearningforkids.com/spider-web-fine-motor-activity/

4. Hole Punch Game: cut strips of paper about 1" wide and make dots from end to end. Take turns rolling dice with your child and use a hole punch to punch the correct number on the strip. See who finishes first!

5. Medicine/eye droppers and water play: Squeezing the bulb on the dropper to suck up the water and squeeze it out develops finger strength and coordination.

6. Play dough and buttons: Hide colorful buttons in playdough for your child to find. Play dough is great for developing hand strength by pinching, pulling, squeezing and rolling.