Motor Activities

Does your child dread therapy because it is boring? This blog is dedicated to parents who want to make occupational therapy fun for their child. Because who doesn’t want to have fun, right?!

Every day people use their fine motor skills to function and complete daily tasks. “Fine motor skills are the skills used when you move your hand to do an activity. They involve the small muscles of the hand, and are necessary for performing most of the tasks in life.”1

Last week in my blog https://t.co/LWiGySjoFo  I discussed some items you can cheaply purchase and use with your clients to help them with their fine motor skills. Today I am going to discuss with you some activities you can do with pediatrics to also help with their fine motor skills.

“It is important to work on fine motor control with children because these small muscle movements are essential for when they start writing, using a computer mouse and getting dressed by themselves.”2 Listed below are some activities  you can use to make occupational therapy more enjoyable for your child and how to incorporate them.

Activities:2

Kitchen tasks: Allow children to set the table at home and align silverware; this allows them to practice control and follow a pattern. Try letting them do tasks such as pour a drink, put ice into  glasses, place the food, and make their own plates. Many times, children want to eat their food with their hands, encourage them to use their silverware. After dinner allow the child to clean and wipe the table.

Play dough: Playing with play dough is a good and fun way for a child to strengthen the muscles in

their hands by building and molding shapes. Play dough is a good source of therapy because it acts as resistance as the child molds the dough.

Crafts and games: Finger painting is a fun and creative idea when it comes to occupational therapy for children. You can also use items such as marshmallows dipped in Kool-Aid paint to paint pictures, trace shapes, write their name etc. The cool thing about this craft is it's edible, so enjoy a snack when the craft is over!

The tasks listed above are quick and easy, and cannot be messed up by the child. There is no wrong way to complete them. As a parent, there are so many ways to encourage occupational therapy for your children. Take some time and think about the endless resources you have around your house to help your child work on their fine motor skills.

Stay tuned for next week on activities in the geriatric population! If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to contact me anytime!

References

1T. (2017). Therapy Fun Zone Where Play is Functional. Retrieved March 1, 2017, from http://therapyfunzone.net/blog/ot/fine-motor-skills/

2Fenner, E. L. (2017, January 30). Activities to Encourage Fine Motor Skills. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from http://therapyfunzone.net/blog/activities-to-encourage-fine-motor-skills