Manipulative Activities

• Encourage children to roll modeling clay or Play-Doh into balls and cut it with plastic knives. Use toothpicks to draw designs on the Play-Doh. Give your child a large set of tweezers and instruct her to move small objects such as beads from one bin to another. Let your child use tongs or a spoon to move ice cubes from container to container. Allow your child to water indoor or outdoor plants using a squeeze-bottle plant sprayer. Gather an assortment of stickers, and let the child create pictures on a sheet of paper. Tear or cut paper and crumple it into small balls, and make a picture by gluing these balls onto the sheet of paper in a design. Beading and lacing games enhance strength and coordination; these are skills children will need to tie and fasten clothing. Play finger puppets or finger plays with your child, and encourage her to imitate songs or action rhymes.
  
  

Sensory Activities

• Allowing children to finger-paint with pudding, non-toxic paints or shaving cream provides tactile learners with a new way to develop their fine motor skills. Encourage them to trace letters or numbers in the shaving cream or finger-paints. Blow bubbles and let your child clap them between his hands. Wheelbarrow or crab walking can help improve balance and stability as well as enhance a child's awareness of his hands. To facilitate sensory awareness of a child's hands, try burying small pegs or coins inside a tray of sand or a ball of Play-Doh and encourage your child to dig for them with his eyes closed.
  
  

Toys and Games

• Video games can help improve dexterity and coordination among the school-aged set, but be sure to follow the AAP recommendations and limit their screen time to less than 2 hours a day. The game Jenga encourages the use of a pincher grip, a skill necessary for writing. Toy water squirters improve strength, dexterity and coordination in a child's hands. Playing board games with a number of small pieces to pick up and manipulate will help further develop fine motor skills.
  
  

When to Seek Professional Help

• If your school-aged child is struggling with writing, cutting and other fine motor skills, you should talk to your child's teacher and discuss having her evaluated for fine or gross motor deficits. Occupational therapists work with many children who have difficulties with fine and/or gross motor skills. If these skills are negatively impacting your child's school performance, an occupational therapist might be able to help improve his skills and their confidence so he can succeed in school.