READ ABOUT WHY I DECIDED TO SAY GOODBYE TO TRADITIONAL MORNING WORK, AND HELLO TO “THE FINE MOTOR 15!”
I have taught kindergarten in Mt. Lebanon since 2006. In recent years, I have noticed a serious decline in my incoming students in the area of fine motor skills. In the age of the iPad, we have five and six year old children entering elementary school knowing how to “swipe left." Yet, they lack the hand strength necessary to cut, write, and draw.
WHAT FINE MOTOR WEAKNESS LOOKS LIKE
As a result of fine motor weakness, I have seen many children become frustrated and act out negatively because these basic skills are such a struggle for them. I have witnessed students of high academic abilities experience meltdowns when tasks have required writing, cutting, and drawing. I know that these students possess the capability to master our kindergarten writing curriculum. However, fine motor weakness is preventing them from physically being able to do the work.
Photo Credit: Canva
Students with fine motor weakness might have difficulty cutting or using scissors, writing letters or numbers, holding a pencil properly, zipping, and tying shoes. Often, parents will ask me for handwriting practice when a student is having difficulty forming letters. However, extra worksheets are not the answer. Instead, these children need to increase fine motor play opportunities. Doing so will help to build strength in their hand muscles and eventually help with handwriting and other fine motor tasks.
THE RESEARCH BEHIND THE VISION
I began to wonder whether other early childhood and primary teachers were experiencing the same issues with their students. After doing extensive research on the subject, I learned that teachers across the nation are faced with the same problem. Research suggests that technology is most likely to blame with iPads and video games replacing hands-on play activities of the past. As kindergarten teachers, we now have to teach many basic skills that should have been already mastered. This takes away valuable instructional time.
Photo Credit: Canva
Fingergym.info.com is an excellent resource for more information about fine motor weakness in children. The site points out the risk of children moving forward in the educational system without developing these vital skills. Potential risks include refusal to participate in activities, avoidance techniques, anger outbursts, and anxiety and depression associated with a lack of competence in motor activities.
MAKING A CHANGE THANKS TO MLFE
I knew that something needed to change. I researched the best practices and materials necessary for developing fine motor skills in young children. However, beginning such a project required extensive funding.
Enter the MLFE Grant opportunity. Last school year, I received an email stating that MLFE was looking for innovative classroom projects. In past years, I might have taken this opportunity to request the latest technological devices as I have always loved incorporating technology into my instruction. Yet, interestingly, it is because of innovation that we are now faced with a problem. I submitted my proposal and was awarded a grant to fund my project!
Thanks to the MLFE, I was able to implement what I call “The Fine Motor 15!” I decided to scrap the traditional morning worksheet and begin each day with 15 minutes of fine motor activities. I only wish I had done this sooner because the benefits have been endless. This valuable time allows my students to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the hands while also learning to play cooperatively, take turns, and get our brains into the “Ready to Learn” mindset for the day. My students enter the room each day eager and excited to see what STEAM-based materials they get to explore that morning. It truly sets the tone to make every day a great day!
Squigz are a class favorite!
Skoolzy Straws are a hit with the kids! Kids work on fine motor skills and 3D shapes at the same time!
Kindergarten loves Skoolzy Straws!
THE BENEFITS OF INCREASED FINE MOTOR ACTIVITY
Dedicating a short time to fine motor play each morning will pay off in the long run. “Working to help children develop the best fine motor skills possible at a young age helps to set the stage for success in school and at home, and more so, contributes to them feeling good about themselves. It also has huge run-off benefits for teachers who can then concentrate on teaching concepts of information rather than focusing on the mechanics of cutting, gluing, or writing.”- Fingergym.com
This Word Construction set works on fine motor and word building!
The kids love Picasso Tiles!
Pop Beads are pretty awesome, too!
Today, there is so much pressure to teach all of the standards that we sometimes forget how important it is to lay the foundation before constructing the building. The Fine Motor 15 has allowed me to lay a solid foundation for my kindergarten students by providing them with the skills necessary to successfully complete any writing task thrown their way! I am so glad that I made the switch from the traditional morning worksheet. Thank you, MLFE, for making this possible!
Visit my CLASS FACEBOOK PAGE for more photos of the Fine Motor 15!
HERE ARE SOME OF MY STUDENTS’ FINE MOTOR FAVORITES…
Products pictured left to right beginning at the top: Squigz, Clip Connect, Magnatiles/ Picasso Tiles, Play-Doh Extruders, Pop Beads, Picasso Tiles Bristle Blocks, Skoolzy Straws, pipe cleaners with beads, School Smart Edger scissors.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE FINE MOTOR 15…
Thanks to MLFE, our kindergarten students have the opportunity to begin each day with wonderful STEAM-based activities to strengthen their fine motor skills. To keep this grant going, we would welcome donations of any kind including the following:
· Small LEGOs
· Stamp Pads and Stencils
· Pipe Cleaners
· Craft Beads for lacing
· Kids Tweezers
· Play-Doh, Play-Doh tools and extruders
· Picasso Tiles, Magnatiles, or Magnaformers
· Squigz
· Skoolzy Straws
· WikiSticks
If you would like to purchase any of these for your child to use at home, you can use the Jefferson code on AMAZON to support our wonderful PTA!
Here is the link: