Fine Motor Skills

Hume Valley School Occupational Therapy Department

1. Regulation Activity- Whole Body Deep Pressure Activities

KEY SKILLS:

Sensory regulation- proprioception

WHAT YOU NEED:

A yoga mat A blanket A pillow

ACTIVITY:

Try the following activities and if your child does not like it then go to the next activity

1. Blanket sausage roll: roll your child gently and slowly up in a blanket or a yoga mat and let them in rolled blanket for 3 deep breaths, and then unroll. Leave your child’s head out.

Photo source: https://synchronyot.com.au/2018/02/08/8-simple-activities-that-provide-body-awareness-input/

2. Pillow Sandwich: while your child is lying on the couch press the pillow on their shoulders/chest, tummy/back, legs, knees and feet and then work your way back up the body. Avoid head and neck.

Photo source: https://synchronyot.com.au/2018/02/08/8-simple-activities-that-provide-body-awareness-input/

3. Body squeeze: a whole body tight hug to finish, hold for 5 seconds.

Suggested time: 2-5 minutes

LESS OF A CHALLENGE: Complete all of these activities for your child and allow your child to sit back and

enjoy the sensory regulation aspect.

MORE OF A CHALLENGE: Involve your child in the exercises for example take turns with another person such

as yourself or a brother or sister e.g. your turn, then your child’s turn to be rolled up in blanket.

2. Fine motor skills- Torn Paper ArtThis activity works on developing fine motor skills and can either be used on its own for overall skill development or as a ‘warm up’ before writing tasks.

KEY SKILLS:

Pinch grip to support functional pencil grip Finger strength Finger coordination and manual dexterity Finger endurance (being able to do activities for longer before the fingers and hands

get tired)

WHAT YOU NEED:

Colourful paper, or old magazines and catalogues Glue Texta

ACTIVITY:

1. Rip up some paper into smaller 1x1cm pieces. 2. Take a piece of paper and a marker/texta and write the letters of your child’s name

in large writing.3. Continue this activity using letters and words your child can choose, like

brothers/sisters names or their favourite TV show

Suggested time: 5-10 minutes

TO MAKE IT EASIER: Your child can write their own name/letter/word.

TO MAKE IT HARDER: It may help if you begin the activity by gluing paper on one letter of the papier

mache word that you are creating, and allow your child to continue.