Fine Motor Resources

Below you will find tool grasp information, grade level specific recommendations and strategies, and ways to work on fine motor skill development!

Functional Scissor Grasp

Thumb should always be up on both hands when cutting- both on the hand using the scissors and the hand holding and manipulating the paper being cut

The bottom fingers don't all have to fit in the bottom hole, just whicever of the fingers comfortably fit

The elbows should be "glued" to a student's side when cutting, with the helper hand manipulating the paper instead of the whole arm/body turning

Scissors should always be pointing away from the body while cutting

If a student is left handed and are having difficulties with holding standard scissors, try left handed scissors as they may fit better for the student

Functional Pencil Grasps

There are many different functional pencil and writing tool grasps, as demonstrated in the pictures above

Pencil grasp is mostly "set in stone" by around 2nd grade, after that it can be difficult to modify the grasp unless a student is willing to make a change

Kindergarten and First Grade students could benefit from use of a short pencil or broken crayons to promote better tool grasp

Have students hold a small object (small eraser, puff ball, etc.) with their pinky, ring, and middle fingers (grasp dependent) to promote holding pencil with appropriate fingers

Grade Level Specific Skills and Recommendations

Scroll through grade levels below

Ways to Work on Fine Motor Skill Development

Encouraging pincer grasp for picking up small objects and manipulatives
Use of tongs and tweezers to pick up and transfer small objects and manipulatives
Pressing small manipulatives (beads, small erasers, etc.) into play-doh or theraputty using individual fingers
Buidling with legos or other interlocking blocks/beads/manipulatives
Ripping paper into small pieces
Practicing shaking dice and rolling them onto the table (helping to develop hand arches)
Rolling playdough into balls and "snakes"
Practicing folding paper, advancing to create origami for older children
Using a manual pencil sharpener
Coloring or writing in different positions- standing or tall kneeling at the wall holding the page with one hand while coloring/writing, laying under the desk and holding the paper up, laying on stomach with paper on floor or slant board, etc.
Using clothespins during activities for counting, sorting, letter identification, etc.
Participation in gross motor activities- push ups/wall push ups, animal walks, using playground equipment (monkey bars, ladders, etc.), throwing and catching a playground ball
Practicing clothing fasteners like zippers, buttons, snaps, etc. during functional times

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