Motor Coordination Monday Fine motor delays and handwriting problems are two of the most common reasons caregivers refer their child to Occupational Therapy. Here are a few quick tips that help every child develop the foundation skills for these activities: • Spend time lying on the tummy each day drawing or completing other activities to strengthen the postural muscles in the back and neck. • Complete weight-bearing activities such as wheelbarrow walks, crab walks, bear walks; and drawing/painting on a vertical surface such as an easel or wall mounted blackboard to increase strength and stability in the shoulder, arm and wrist. • Practice drawing using chunky crayons or chalk cut into approx. 2cm chunks. This helps promote a mature grasp in younger children. Use regular size crayons or chalk cut at the same length for older children. • Hide small objects (eg. coins, beads) in a container of rice or beans and have children find the objects. Try smaller objects, time trials, eyes closed. This helps develop the tactile sensory system needed for fine motor and handwriting skills. Cameron Griffiths Occupational Therapist
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:03:02 +0000
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