Schools
Therapy
Resource
Pack
Section 4B –
Fine motor skill
development
Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Contents
Correct sitting posture
Possible causes of difficulties identified in
Preliminary Checklist
General activities to improve hand function/
hand-eye coordination
Fine Motor Skills Programme for reception pupils
Clever Hands Programme
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Introduction
Fine motor skills include movements made by all the smaller muscles of the body.
They include:-
eye fixation and tracking
chewing and speaking
hand / finger strength and coordination
Hand Function
Hand function is particularly relevant for classroom learning. Once gross motor core
stability is established, small movements become more precise: children are able to
coordinate both hands, using one to lead and the other to support in two-handed
activities (although complete dominance may not develop for some time). They also
develop the ability to hold objects steady while adjusting fine movements for tasks
such as cutting out and handwriting. Most hand activities also require hand / eye
coordination.
The possible causes of difficulties highlighted by the Preliminary Checklist are tabled
overleaf.
The development of these skills can be helped by the Reception Fine Motor
Programme and the Clever Hands programme. These activities are also suitable for
giving to parents.
Check correct sitting posture
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Possible causes of difficulties identified in Preliminary Checklist
Difficulty Possible Causes
Unable to pick up objects using a pincer Poor hand-eye coordination
grasp Poor hand strength
Poor tactile awareness
Difficulty using blocks, beads, puzzle Poor hand-eye coordination
pieces to complete an activity Poor manipulation skills
Difficulty using both hands
together
Unable to turn pages of a book singly Poor tactile awareness
Poor manipulation skills
Difficulty handing out sheets from a stack Poor tactile awareness
of paper Poor manipulation skills
Difficulty using both hands
together (undecided preferred
hand)
Difficulty using tools (scissors, pencils Poor tactile awareness
etc) Poor manipulation skills
Limited hand strength
Difficulty using both hands
together (undecided preferred
hand)
Unable to cut, draw, trace with precision Difficulty using both hands
and accuracy together (undecided preferred
hand)
Poor hand-eye coordination
Difficulty with buttons and zips Difficulty using both hands
together (undecided preferred
hand)
Poor tactile awareness
NB Many of these difficulties may also be associated with visual perception
difficulties.
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
General activities to improve hand function and hand/eye coordination
Typical problems Activities
Poor hand strength, weak Activities which require squeezing, pulling, pushing.
grasp Construction toys, crumpling paper, wringing out
cloths, clothes pegs.
For more ideas see activities in ‘Clever Hands’
Poor dexterity and Gather a strip of material into the palm of the hand
manipulation skills using fingers.
Using one hand collect counters or marbles one at a
time into the palm of the hand and then using thumb
bring them out to post into container one at a time.
For more ideas see activities in ‘Clever Hands’
Poor hand-eye Grade the difficulty of tasks presented e.g. use large
coordination pegs and board before moving on to small ones: start
with activities where one part of the activity is stable
e.g. placing stickers onto circles on paper masking
taped to table.
Move on to activities where both parts are moving e.g.
threading beads, hitting a moving ball with racquet.
For more ideas see activities in ‘Clever Hands’
Difficulty coordinating Always encourage the child to use non-dominant hand
use of both hands to support paper, puzzle board etc.
together Practise threading beads, using large beads and firm
(bilateral coordination) lace, gradually working towards small beads and thin
lace;
wind wool onto cards;
tear paper.
For more ideas see activities in ‘Clever Hands’
Hand preference not Lots of practice at two-handed activities as above.
decided Encourage crossing mid-line of body when painting on
easel, using white board, playing trains or drawing on
large paper on the floor etc..
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Fine Motor Programme for Reception Pupils.
Many children entering school will not yet have fully developed their fine motor
skills.
We recommend that all Year R children complete Fine Motor Skills Programme
(FMS) in addition to the Achieving Body Control (ABC) Programme. This will
develop the postural control and then develop fine motor control needed for school
activities. The programme can be readily incorporated into lessons (over an
approximate six week period).
Children with identified difficulties should also be given opportunities to practice the
activities individually or in a small group.
Implementing the FMS
Training which supports implementing the FMS in school can be requested from the
Children’s Therapy Service (see Training Section)
Equipment
Weeks 1/2 - Chalk board or large pieces of paper on the wall
Chalk, markers
Weeks 3/4 - Play-dough, newspaper, card, pegs, tweezers,
cottonwool,
Weeks 5/6 - Play-dough, beads, paper clips, rubberbands
Review
Children’s responses are monitored through observation and the FMS Individual
Progress Sheets can be completed after each Block
NOTE: children with identified physical / learning difficulties who are know to
children’s therapists should not be included prior to consultation with relevant
therapist.
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Programme
Fizzy Training Games
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 1 (page 1)
PLAYDOUGH
Skill: hand strength, use of two
hands together, applying appropriate
pressure
Can you roll out a sausage?
Make sure you use two hands.
Now can you turn your sausage into
a dinosaur by using your thumb and
first finger to pinch along the top to
make spines?
Roll it flat and make shapes
using cutters.
Roll a sausage again, can you
cut it into pieces with a play
knife?
Try to keep your first finger on the
top of the knife and your thumb and
the other fingers either side. Hold
your playdough still with your other
hand.
Can you roll it flat again and
make a face out of the
playdough?
PEGS
Skill: hand strength
(For “graded” pegs see Resource
List)
Look at the picture, hold the peg this
way.
Peg pegs onto the edge of a
box
Peg pegs onto a rag doll / teddy
Peg pegs onto a T-shirt on a
teddy
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 1 (page 2)
TONGS
Skill: hand strength, applying
appropriate pressure
Use one hand on the tongs. You
need to hold the tongs with your
thumb on one side and your fingers
on the other.
Snap the tongs like a crocodile
Can your crocodile bite the
paper?
Tear and scrunch up paper and
pick it up with your tongs
Pick up cotton wool balls
Now try little bricks
POSTING
Skill: manipulation, hand-eye
coordination, use of two hands
together, hand dominance
Pick up and post coins into a
money box
Post dried peas / pasta / sugar
decorations into a bottle and
screw up the lid.
NOTE
If you are working with a child who
still puts objects into his / her mouth
use edible items, e.g. raisins, dried
banana chips, „holey‟ cereals etc.
PASTRY MAKING
Skill: hand strength, applying appropriate pressure
Roll the pastry into a ball. Flatten it with your hands. Cut it into shapes
using pastry cutters and shape cutters
DUPLO
Skill: hand strength, applying appropriate pressure, using both hands
together, developing preferred hand
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
What can you make?
Clever Hands
Level 1 (page 3)
HAMMERING
Skill: hand-eye coordination, hand
dominance, dissociate hand from
forearm movement, applying
appropriate pressure
Find toys with which you can
use a hammer
THREADING
Skill: hand-eye coordination using
two hands together, fine
manipulation
Thread large beads onto
dowels / sticks
HAND AND FINGER RHYMES AND GAMES
e.g.
Two Little Dicky Birds
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Tommy Thumb
Play games with finger puppets
FEELY GAMES - Skill: tactile awareness
Hide everyday objects in a box of sand / rice / pasta / flour etc e.g.
teaspoon, cotton wool balls, large beads, little bricks, toothbrush etc.
What can you find? Try this game again placing objects into a bag.
FEELY PICTURES
Skill: fine manipulation
Tear up tissue paper.
Scrunch up the paper using
your fingers (as in the picture)
and glue onto the paper.
You can also use cotton wool, glitter,
string, sand and oddments of
different textures.
What else can you use for your
picture?
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 1 (page 4) : more ideas to practise:-
SLIME (see page 10 for recipe)
Skill: tactile awareness, grasp and release
Play and enjoy ! It is messy ! Keep clothes covered !
INSET PUZZLES
Skill: hand dominance, manipulation
Try large and easy to manipulate inset puzzles
PUZZLES
Skill: pincer grasp, use of two hands together, hand dominance
Wooden inset puzzles with chunky hand grips.
Wooden inset puzzles with small hand grips.
2 – 4 piece puzzle within a framed border. Large chunky 2 piece
interlocking puzzles.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Castanets / maracas
Toy trumpets / saxophone
Keyboards
FINGER CYMBALS
Place a cymbal on each index finger and clap together
Now place a cymbal on your thumb and index finger of one hand.
Play and enjoy !
MORE IDEAS
Patting and tapping a balloon into the air
You may need to use both hands:-
Squeeze a plastic bottle or bath toy in water to make bubbles
Blowing bubbles. Can you pop them with one finger?
Squeeze squeaky toys – see pictures below
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
S L I M E
1 cup Cornflour
Add enough water to make a firm, yet
pliable, slightly runny consistency
Use food colouring or paint to add colour
Shape into a ball then watch as the slime
‘melts’ and runs through your fingers!
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 2 (page 1)
PLAYDOUGH
Skill - use of two hands together,
hand strength, applying
appropriate pressure
Can you make a snake?
Make sure you use two hands
when rolling out the playdough
Now can you roll it into a snail
like the picture?
Can you make a hedgehog
and give him lots of spines?
You can use wooden dowels or
little sticks.
PEGS
Skill: hand strength
(For „graded‟ pegs see resource
list).
Look at the picture. Hold the peg
this way.
Peg flash cards onto the
edge of a box.
Peg doll‟s clothes or small
clothes onto a washing line.
Peg pegs onto a paper plate
to make a sunshine
TONGS
Skill: hand strength, applying
appropriate pressure
Use one hand on the tongs. Hold
them with your thumb on one side
and your fingers on the other like
the picture.
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 2 (page 2)
Snap the tongs like a crocodile.
How many items can your crocodile
collect?
Now pretend the tongs are a crane.
What can you pick up? e.g.
polystyrene balls, little bricks, little
cars
POSTING
Skill: manipulation, hand-eye
coordination, use of two hands
together, hand dominance
Pick up 2 large coins, one at a time
and keep them in the palm of your
hand.
Now try posting one while the
other one remains in your hand.
Now post the other one.
Can you use your other hand?
Now try with smaller coins.
PASTRY MAKING / SALTDOUGH
Skill:– hand strength, applying appropriate pressure
Roll the pastry / dough into a ball.
Flatten it with your hands.
Cut it into shapes using pastry cutters and shape cutters.
STICKLE BRICKS
What can you make?
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 2 (page 3)
HAMMERING
Can you find games with which you can use a hammer.
THREADING
Thread „holey‟ cereal / sweets onto pipe cleaners / straws.
Thread medium beads / pasta pieces onto a sturdy tipped lace.
Try lacing cards / boards
HAND AND FINGER RHYMES
e.g. „Here‟s the church; here‟s the steeple‟.
Can you think of any more?
FINGER CYMBALS
Place a cymbal on your thumb and index finger
Change the fingers they are used on.
Try using your other hand.
FEELY GAMES
Skill: tactile awareness
Hide medium items in a box of sand / rice / pasta / flour etc e.g. 10p,
50p, 2p, 20p coins, medium sized bricks / beads / toys / cars / dolls
furniture etc. Have a duplicate set ready on a tray.
Now close your eyes. What can you find? Describe them. NO PEEPING!
Now can you point to the same object on the tray?
Try this game again, placing objects into a bag instead.
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 2 (page 4)
FEELY PICTURES
Skill: fine manipulation
Make a picture sticking pasta,
lentils, sand, tissue paper.
How tightly can you scrunch the
paper?
Make sure you use your fingertips as
in the picture.
SLIME (see page 10 for recipe)
Play and enjoy ! It is messy ! Keep clothes covered !
PUZZLES
4 – 8 piece puzzle within a framed border.
Large chunky 2 – 6 piece interlocking puzzle.
What other puzzles can you do?
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Toy trumpets / saxophone / flute
Keyboards / toy piano
Drums. Try with and without sticks.
Xylophone.
Castanets / maracas (one in each hand).
Play and enjoy!
MORE IDEAS
Squeeze a plastic bottle with one hand only to make bubbles in water.
Using a spray bottle to spray water onto plants; or try to hit a target.
Squeeze squeaky toys – see pictures below.
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 3 (page 1)
PLAYDOUGH
Skill: use of two hands together, hand strength, applying appropriate pressure
Make a nest and some little eggs to go in it.
Roll out the playdough into a long sausage shape and then coil it round
to make a nest. Pinch off some more playdough and roll it between your
fingers to make the eggs.
Here‟s how to make it.
How many eggs can you make?
Now try an Easter basket!
I‟m hungry, can you make me a pizza?
Think of all the things you have done. Can you make a pot?
PEGS
Skill: hand strength
(For „graded‟ pegs see Resource
List).
Look at the picture. Hold the peg this
way.
Start with the easier pegs. See
how fast you can peg 10 pegs
onto a box.
Can you beat your own time?
Now try this again using your other hand.
Try one peg in each hand and alternate.
Ready for a challenge? What can you find to pick up using the peg.
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 3 (page 2)
TONGS
Skill: hand strength, applying
appropriate pressure
Use one hand on the tongs. Hold
them with your thumb on one side
and your fingers on the other like the
picture.
How many things can you find to pick up with tongs?
Did you find anything difficult? Why do you think that was?
Try different tongs. Which tongs were the most difficult to use? Why?
Can you try picking up raisons /
plastic buttons with tweezers?
Try this again now putting them
into a bottle.
POSTING
Skill: manipulation, hand-eye
coordination, use of two hands
together, hand dominance
Pick up 5 large coins one at a
time; keep them in your palm.
Post them one at a time.
Can you use your other hand?
Now try using smaller coins.
Now post the coins with your right hand,
then your left hand alternately.
How easy is this game when using
2 boxes?
Can you pick up a coin in each hand and post them into each box at the same
time?
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 3 (page 3)
PASTRY MAKING / SALTDOUGH Skill: hand strength, applying appropriate
pressure
Roll the pastry using a rolling pin and cut it out using pastry cutters or
shape cutters or with a play knife.
What else can you make?
LEGO
Can you build a tower of 10 Lego bricks one brick at a time? How fast
can you do this? Can you pull them apart one at a time?
What can you make?
HAMMERING
Which toys can you use a
hammer with?
THREADING
Thread small beads and / or small pasta pieces onto a lace.
Try lacing cards / boards.
Cut up straws and thread these onto a lace.
HAND AND FINGER RHYMES
e.g. „Here‟s the church; here‟s the steeple.
„Incy Wincy Spider‟.
Can you think of any more?
FINGER CYMBALS
Place a cymbal on your thumb and index finger.
Change the fingers they are used on.
Try using your other hand.
Now put a set on each hand.
What rhythms can you make?
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Section 4b: Fine Motor Skill Development
Clever Hands
Level 3 (page 4)
FEELY GAMES Skill: tactile awareness
Hide small items in a box of sand / rice / pasta / flour etc e.g. 1p and 5p
coins, paper clips, small beads / marbles / cubes, miniature cars / toys /
dolls furniture etc.
Have a duplicate set ready.
Now close your eyes. What can you find? Describe the items. NO
PEEPING!
Now can you point to the same item on the tray?
Try this game again placing the items in a bag instead.
FEELY PICTURES
Skill: fine manipulation
Make a picture sticking pasta,
lentils, sand, tissue paper.
How tightly can you scrunch the
paper? Make sure you use your
fingertips as in the picture.
SLIME (see page 10 for recipe)
Play and enjoy!
Warning: It is messy! Keep clothes covered!
PUZZLES
2 – 6 medium piece puzzles.
6 – 12 medium piece puzzles.
4 – 12 smaller piece puzzles.
What other puzzles can you do?
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Toy trumpets / saxophone / flute.
Keyboards / toy piano.
Drums. Use two sticks and alternate left and right tapping.
Castanets. Use in both hands, alternate left and right clicks.
Recorder. How many different notes can you play?
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