What Are Fine Motor Skills?
Fine Motor Skills including :
- Stationary : ability to maintain balance or equilibrium.
- Locomotion : ability to move, including walking, running etc.
- Object Manipulation : Including pincer grip abilities, ability to control fine movement (such as threading and opening zips)
- Grasping: ability to use the muscles of the hand and to control fingers.
- Visual-Motor Integration : eye and hand coordination. Controlling muscles based on visual perception. E.g. building blocks or threading
There are those that would argue, myself included, that Fine Motor function is one of the key skills required to function successfully within the classroom, home and later on in the workplace. It is Fine Motor function that can decide the difference between independent living and it is Fine Motor function that allows us to interact with objects around us in a meaningful way.
Fine Motor skills do not just happen. They must be practiced, refined and acquired.
I have been hunting for great, durable, and cheap Games and Therapy tools that we can add to our Fine Motor collection that address and help train each of the different aspects of fine motor skills, and this newsletter marks the launch of the just some of my discoveries.
Lace and Thread
Threading is one of the more challenging Fine Motor Skills. It requires Pincer Grip, a vital yet difficult skill to acquire, Visual-Motor control and Fine Locomotion control (to get the thread into the holes).
We already have a great collection of books that involve threading. Run Away Train being my favorite (you can view the range on our site under : Fine Motor Control - Activity Books), however I wanted tools that a child could use independently, that also
sparked intrigue and imagination...I found them.
Lacing Fruit $17.50
This is a beautiful set of 30 + wooden beads in the shape of fruit (inc Apples, pears, blue berries, watermelon, bananas, oranges, mangos and strawberries), within a plastic jar (with screw top lid and handle) plus 2 colored, soft, synthetic ropes approx 1 meter long (each).
Each fruit is approx 3 X 3 cm.
Jar is 10 X 15 cm
A novel take on threading, which is a great fine motor practice. Because these beads are different shapes and sizes this set provides a fun avenue for added dexterity improvement. PLUS being made of wood they are durable and tough enough to withstand the stresses of children year after year.
Paints are non toxic. Some beads are small enough to be a choking hazard for children under 3 years.
Lacing Tree $9.50
Both the tree and 5 fruits in this set are made from 5mm ply board and painted in non-toxic paints and meet the Australian safety standards for children from birth.
Two long threading ropes are also included in this wonderful, bright and captivating Fine Motor set. The Tree is 210 X 290 mm
Both items can be viewed and ordered from our website under Fine Motor Control - Games and Toys This is great game for 2 or more players that requires fine and gross motor control, pincer grip, hand eye co-ordination , and helps examine cause and effect.
To being the wall must be build, which utilises fine motor control and pincer grip. Players then take it in turn using a green trowel (again with pincer grip) to poke out 1 brick each turn until Humpty falls.
This jar set includes 12 wooden spinning tops in assorted colors, each beautifully painted under red, purple, blue, orange and yellow colour themes in non-toxic paints.
They are all exquisitely crafted and balanced and a great pincer grip strengthening tool.
Get all 12 for $32.85 or individually for $3 each
Humpty Helps with Fine Motor Skills $15.85
This is great game for 2 or more players that requires fine and gross motor control, pincer grip, hand eye co-ordination , and helps examine cause and effect.
To being the wall must be build, which utilises fine motor control and pincer grip. Players then take it in turn using a green trowel (again with pincer grip) to poke out 1 brick each turn until Humpty falls.
Spinning Up Skills
This jar set includes 12 wooden spinning tops in assorted colors, each beautifully painted under red, purple, blue, orange and yellow colour themes in non-toxic paints.
They are all exquisitely crafted and balanced and a great pincer grip strengthening tool.
Get all 12 for $32.85 or individually for $3 each
Tangled Up in Fine Motor Function
These Tangles are 18cm long and made of 18 interconnected 2cm plastic pieces. They can easily be clipped onto a belt buckle, school bag, backpack or purse, and always be by your side.
Great for kids to take to school. (Tangles are not recommended for children under 3 due to small parts)
A great fidget toy for children with Autism or Aspergers ! Also a great Fine Motor Skill Tool! Full details on our site under : Fine Motor Control - Games and Toys
Touch - the forgotten Fine Motor Function
This is a wonderful, tactile match-up board. The base board is made from pine, with smooth polished, curved edges. Each of the 10 circle spaces contain a different texture (red Velcro, grey wool carpet, retain, fine sandpaper, yellow tennis ball fur, white foam, black rubber, orange corrugated cardboard, white cotton fabric, and Hessian. The blue wooden circles include inserts that match the base board.
A fabulous resource for children with vision impairment, and also for sensory therapy (perhaps with children on the Autism spectrum). This game also helps to heighten fine motor functions associated with touch.
Full details on our site under : Fine Motor Control - Games and Toys
Thanks for reading. I hope it helped
Lee BilbyBilby Publishing wwww.bilby.net
