Fine Motor Coordination refers to the ability to use the small muscles of the hand for precise finger movements. Visual-Motor Integration refers to the coordination of visual perceptual skills with purposeful hand movements.

The following is a list of definitions that may be helpful in understanding occupational therapy reports, activity suggestions, and/or literature:

• Finger Isolation: The ability to move the thumb and each finger independently
• Arches of the Hand: The hand structure formed by the bones and muscles that allows us to flatten and cup the hands
• Separation of the Two Sides of the Hand: The ability of the ring finger and index finger to remain flexed or curled into the palm while the thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger manipulate an object
• Web Space: The opening formed between the thumb and index finger when touching
• Ulnar Stabilization: Occurs when the pinky side of the dominant hand is resting on the table top during writing activities
• Muscle Tone: The degree of tension in a resting muscle
• Pincer Grasp: Occurs when the tip of the thumb meets the index finger when picking up and manipulating small items
• In-Hand Manipulation: The ability to hold and move a grasped object with one hand
• Dynamic Tripod Grasp (mature pencil grasp): The pencil is held by the thumb and index finger while resting on the middle finger. The thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger move when writing while the ring finger and pinky are curled into the palm (separation of the two sides of the hand). The pinky side of the hand rests on the writing surface (ulnar stabilization) and the web space is visible.

Completing activities on an upright or vertical surface is a wonderful way to strengthen the arm and shoulder muscles, improve thumb opposition, and increase wrist strength. By completing such activities a child's fine motor coordination can be improved. Please note the following games/activities:

• Chalkboard drawing
• White board drawing
• Geoboards
• Painting
• Magna-doodle
• Stamping
• Pegboards
• Lite-Brite
• Magnet activities
• Feltboards
• Use stickers to create pictures
• Easel activities

There are many fun activities you can complete with your child to promote functional hand use and fine motor coordination using materials that you may already have at home.

• Use clay to make form letters, form numbers, cut with scissors, practice cutting with a dull knife, or roll into tiny balls.
• Tear newspaper using the "writing fingers" (thumb, index finger, middle finger), crumble the paper, and use to stuff art projects such as scarecrows.
• Use spray bottles filled with colored water to decorate sand or snow.
• Play dice games and require the child to cup his/her hands around the dice.
• Play games involving tweezers such as Scatterpillar Caterpillar or Wok N Roll.
• Complete lacing cards.
• String beads or macaroni to make a necklace or decoration.
• Use eye droppers filled with colored water to decorate old towels or sheets.
• Place coins in a piggy bank.
• Play a game using buttons by timing how long it takes to flip them over. Repeat and try to beat your time.
• Complete a tissue paper project by ripping colored tissue paper into small pieces, crumbling each piece up, and glue onto a piece of paper to create a picture.
• Rip pieces of construction paper into tiny pieces and glue onto another piece of paper to make a mosaic design.
• Color with small, broken crayons using circular motions.
• Help with cooking by tearing lettuce, rolling out dough for pizza, or sprinkling decorations on cookies.
• Make pictures and designs with fingerprints using stamp ink.

Additional tools to use at home to promote hand use:

• Clothespins
• Olive Picker
• Push Pins
• Toast Tongs
• Glue Sticks
• Turkey Baster
• Pizza Wheel
• Cookie Cutters

*Sharp items should only be used under adult supervision*