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Don't underestimate the power of coloring in hand strength, fine motor, and visual motor development! Coloring is a precursor to good handwriting.
TIPS FOR COLORING SUCCESS...
Prior to coloring activities, make sure the child's feet are touching the floor and the desk is the appropriate size for our student.
Break your crayons in half or thirds! This will force students to use a more mature grasp, and will strengthen their hands for handwriting.
Try doing coloring activities on an easel or-against a chalkboard, slant board, or binder. The vertical surface will help promote wrist extension and proper forearm positioning.
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□ Hide a small cotton ball, sponge or Styrofoam packaging peanut under the pinkie and ring finger while coloring to encourage the separation of the sides of the hand necessary for a tripod grasp.
□ Start the student with larger sized patterns or pictures to color, slowly reducing the size as the student gains control. Eventually have the student color in small areas, practicing vertical and circular strokes, which will help refine the smaller muscles in his/her hands and fingers.
□ Outline the area to be colored with a thick black line or try putting a raised border around the boundary of the area to be colored for added tactile awareness. This can be done ahead of time using glue or Wikki Stix.
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