Sunny Day Therapy's Blog- Helping Children & Caregivers Shine, Do, and Thrive

Fine Motor Fun 

Do you want strong hands for writing?

Does your child dislike repetitive, boring writing tasks?

Why not try squirt bottles, water guns, races to tear up paper, rolling up and squeezing play doh, and flicking folded paper footballs?  

These games all involve using your thumb, index finger, and middle finger in ways that address strength and coordination. 

For sensory motor fun, cover a plastic toy dinosaur in shaving cream or whip cream and use a squirt bottle to clean him off. 

Squirt spelling words on the ground or wall. 

Roll up a paper treasure map.  

Write positive compliments or scavenger hunt directions in plastic eggs.  When writing is purpose-driven, it rises above everyday blah. When hard tasks are a game, they are not a chore but a challenge. 

Add a little umph to your writing or coloring by hanging it on a vertical surface or using a slant board!  Why? It works the hand muscles more.  Strengthening your core, your upper body, and your hands will make it easier to hold your pencil and maneuver your hand.  You got that right, animal walks, push ups, planks, etc. Core exercises are also good for developing the strength to complete handwriting.  

So the next time you want to work on writing, know that you can grab more than just a pencil. Exercise the “write” stuff through some creative activities that put the fun back in handwriting this summer. 

Fine motor activities can be FUN as well as FUNctional.  

Ask me about my summer handwriting camps!  While better handwriting may be the end goal, the way we get there is a lot of FUN just like some of the motor games/activities described in this blog (and MORE!)