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Motor Milestones and Toys to Stimulate Development
- Patria Lincoln Posted On May 11, 2020 | Motor Skills
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2-4 Years Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers
- Patria Lincoln Posted On May 7, 2020 | Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are critical to a preschooler’s development. Like any skill, such as playing the piano or dribbling a basketball, practice is essential to success.
When preschool teachers mention fine motor skills, they are referring to the muscles in the hand that are used to manipulate small objects. Fine motor and hand eye coordination are typically parallel skills; most fine motor tasks require refined hand eye coordination. Hand eye coordination refers to the communication that happens between the hands and the eyes in order to accomplish a task.
We use fine motor skills in our everyday lives. Examples include: tying shoes (looping shoelaces through each other), getting dressed (buttons and zippers), eating dinner (using a fork or knife), and brushing teeth (squeezing toothpaste and brushing). In addition, kids will undoubtedly use fine motor skills at school as they write, color, cut, glue, and paint.
Not only is it important to develop fine motor skills for physical growth, but also to build confidence. The more children practice these skills, the more confident they will become. Mastering the coordination of putting on a winter coat, zipping, and buttoning it will make kids excited to go outside. Delaying practicing fine motor skills may have an adverse effect - a student who hasn’t learned to hold and move a pencil properly may make them frustrated during a writing lesson, or could lead to avoiding the task altogether.
While there are plenty of ways to practice fine motor skills around the house, children can also learn through playing with any of these Learning Resources products:
Sand and Water Fine Motor Tool Set
Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers
READ MORE
Fine motor skills are critical to a preschooler’s development. Like any skill, such as playing the piano or dribbling a basketball, practice is essential to success.
When preschool teachers mention fine motor skills, they are referring to the muscles in the hand that are used to manipulate small objects. Fine motor and hand eye coordination are typically parallel skills; most fine motor tasks require refined hand eye coordination. Hand eye coordination refers to the communication that happens between the hands and the eyes in order to accomplish a task.
We use fine motor skills in our everyday lives. Examples include: tying shoes (looping shoelaces through each other), getting dressed (buttons and zippers), eating dinner (using a fork or knife), and brushing teeth (squeezing toothpaste and brushing). In addition, kids will undoubtedly use fine motor skills at school as they write, color, cut, glue, and paint.
Not only is it important to develop fine motor skills for physical growth, but also to build confidence. The more children practice these skills, the more confident they will become. Mastering the coordination of putting on a winter coat, zipping, and buttoning it will make kids excited to go outside. Delaying practicing fine motor skills may have an adverse effect - a student who hasn’t learned to hold and move a pencil properly may make them frustrated during a writing lesson, or could lead to avoiding the task altogether.
While there are plenty of ways to practice fine motor skills around the house, children can also learn through playing with any of these Learning Resources products:
Sand and Water Fine Motor Tool Set
Scissor Skills for Tiny Tots!
- Patria Lincoln Posted On Feb 19, 2020 | Motor Skills
“Be Careful! Scissors are DANGEROUS!” or something along those lines is what parents usually shout when they see their little ones holding scissors in their hands. While I don’t disagree with the statement by any means, I want to share all of the ways scissor skills are so important for development, as well as all of the fun ways we can incorporate underlying scissor skills into everyday play…even for the youngest of our learners!
Using scissors efficiently requires a lot of motor planning, coordination, and dexterity. Before a student can successfully use scissors, there are many underlying skills that can be worked on and strengthened so that we can set up the student for optimal success. There are so many ways that we can interact and play with our kiddo’s to help develop the many different motor control areas!
Grasp/Release:
Activities that promote opening and closing of the hands and fingers such as using tongs, tweezers, clips, squeezing, etc.Two-handed Coordination:
Activities that promote the use of both hands together such as tearing paper and peeling and sticking stickers.Hand and Finger Strengthening:
Dough, putty, tweezers, tongs, spray bottles, stress ball squeezes, etc.Visual Skills:
Activities that promote active and intentional use of the visual system such as eye-spy, hidden pictures, following targets with eyes (rolling a ball and following eyes, marble tower, etc)When introducing scissors for the first time, spring loaded scissors are extremely helpful and can ease the introduction. The spring mechanism will “bounce” back the blades to reduce the amount of strength and coordination required, therefore, allowing kiddos who do not quite have the strength or coordination to still be able to cut! The best part is that once they outgrow the spring, you can “turn it off” and use them as normal scissors.
As a School-Based Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L), we are often checking out the progression of scissor use in kiddo’s and here is a general milestone timeline that we use as reference.Starting at/around:
25-26 months
We like to see kiddos snipping with scissors in one place37-38 months
Cut a piece of paper in half41-42 months
Cut out a 5” line within ½” of the target49-50 months
Cut a 3” circle within ¼” of the target for 3/4th of the circle53-54 months
Cut out a 3” square within ¼” of the line
While development isn’t always linear, we often see a general progression as outlined and the underlying skills are very important in achieving these skills.Here are some fun tips and hacks to help your little ones practice their scissor skills:
- Start with “snipping”. practicing small snips will help promote practice, as well as success! We want our kiddo’s to feel like they are successfully cutting and expecting them to open/close and move forward can be tricky at first.
- Using a more restrictive paper such as cardstock or thicker paper can help with control (much easier to hold the paper steady than flimsy paper or thin material). You can also steady the paper for them to reduce the amount of work and coordination.
- Along with restrictive paper, you can also use restrictive materials such as dough, putty, straws, paper plates, index cards, etc.
- Teaching “thumbs up” when holding the scissors by placing a small sticker or Washi tape to remind them which side is up – tell them to make sure they can see their sticker.
- When teaching the forward motion aspect, make it fun! Pretend like the scissors are alligators, trains, cars, etc and have them cut across a path or road.
Trace Ace Scissors has been a great addition to my therapy toolbox. With my little preschool students, we had fun learning to use a stencil. Mini crayons help reinforce proper pencil grasp as they color, stencils help incorporate the use of the two hands together, and we used cardstock paper so that it would provide more resistance and help stabilize the paper as they cut with the spring loaded scissors.
Save it for later!
Scissor Skills for Tiny Tots!
While development isn’t always linear, we often see a general progression as outlined and the underlying skills are very important in achieving these skills.
Trace Ace Scissors has been a great addition to my therapy toolbox. With my little preschool students, we had fun learning to use a stencil. Mini crayons help reinforce proper pencil grasp as they color, stencils help incorporate the use of the two hands together, and we used cardstock paper so that it would provide more resistance and help stabilize the paper as they cut with the spring loaded scissors.
READ MORE
“Be Careful! Scissors are DANGEROUS!” or something along those lines is what parents usually shout when they see their little ones holding scissors in their hands. While I don’t disagree with the statement by any means, I want to share all of the ways scissor skills are so important for development, as well as all of the fun ways we can incorporate underlying scissor skills into everyday play…even for the youngest of our learners!
Using scissors efficiently requires a lot of motor planning, coordination, and dexterity. Before a student can successfully use scissors, there are many underlying skills that can be worked on and strengthened so that we can set up the student for optimal success. There are so many ways that we can interact and play with our kiddo’s to help develop the many different motor control areas!
Grasp/Release:
Activities that promote opening and closing of the hands and fingers such as using tongs, tweezers, clips, squeezing, etc.Two-handed Coordination:
Activities that promote the use of both hands together such as tearing paper and peeling and sticking stickers.Hand and Finger Strengthening:
Dough, putty, tweezers, tongs, spray bottles, stress ball squeezes, etc.Visual Skills:
Activities that promote active and intentional use of the visual system such as eye-spy, hidden pictures, following targets with eyes (rolling a ball and following eyes, marble tower, etc)When introducing scissors for the first time, spring loaded scissors are extremely helpful and can ease the introduction. The spring mechanism will “bounce” back the blades to reduce the amount of strength and coordination required, therefore, allowing kiddos who do not quite have the strength or coordination to still be able to cut! The best part is that once they outgrow the spring, you can “turn it off” and use them as normal scissors.
As a School-Based Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L), we are often checking out the progression of scissor use in kiddo’s and here is a general milestone timeline that we use as reference.Starting at/around:
25-26 months
We like to see kiddos snipping with scissors in one place37-38 months
Cut a piece of paper in half41-42 months
Cut out a 5” line within ½” of the target49-50 months
Cut a 3” circle within ¼” of the target for 3/4th of the circle53-54 months
Cut out a 3” square within ¼” of the line While development isn’t always linear, we often see a general progression as outlined and the underlying skills are very important in achieving these skills.Here are some fun tips and hacks to help your little ones practice their scissor skills:
- Start with “snipping”. practicing small snips will help promote practice, as well as success! We want our kiddo’s to feel like they are successfully cutting and expecting them to open/close and move forward can be tricky at first.
- Using a more restrictive paper such as cardstock or thicker paper can help with control (much easier to hold the paper steady than flimsy paper or thin material). You can also steady the paper for them to reduce the amount of work and coordination.
- Along with restrictive paper, you can also use restrictive materials such as dough, putty, straws, paper plates, index cards, etc.
- Teaching “thumbs up” when holding the scissors by placing a small sticker or Washi tape to remind them which side is up – tell them to make sure they can see their sticker.
- When teaching the forward motion aspect, make it fun! Pretend like the scissors are alligators, trains, cars, etc and have them cut across a path or road.
Trace Ace Scissors has been a great addition to my therapy toolbox. With my little preschool students, we had fun learning to use a stencil. Mini crayons help reinforce proper pencil grasp as they color, stencils help incorporate the use of the two hands together, and we used cardstock paper so that it would provide more resistance and help stabilize the paper as they cut with the spring loaded scissors.
Save it for later!
Dance Baby, Dance!
- Gabrielle Fischer Posted On May 2, 2017 | Motor Skills
Throughout history, dance has served as a means of communicating and bonding, celebrating, healing, as well as a form of creative self-expression. It’s also an amazing activity that supports positive physical and mental health.
Recently, Canada initiated its Sharing Dance programs under Canada’s National Ballet School, citing that 90% of children do not meet physical activity guidelines; and one out of three children and youth are overweight or obese.
The initiative promotes dance for all ages, as benefits are not dependent on age. Starting children off in dance early, however, kicks off good habits that can last a lifetime, while introducing them to the best possible way to channel their boundless energy.
So, let’s look at the reasons why we should get kids up and dancing. Here is a fun playlist to sing and dance along too!
Dance for health
Kids have so much energy! Next time your class is feeling drained and needing release, consider doing the mash potato, moonwalk, or hokey pokey…
Some of the physical benefits include improved aerobic power, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility and balance – all of which contribute to lower risk of illness and injury. As if that’s not enough to get moving, Psychology Today reported that dancing improves brain functionality.
According to Livestrong, “Dancing is an aerobic form of exercise. For children who are overweight, it can potentially help them to lose weight and improve their eating habits.
”What’s more, dancing in a social setting can release endorphins – the chemical in the brain that reduces stress and pain – resulting in a feeling of wellbeing similar to what is known as a “runner’s high.” When there are learned steps and routines, dancers also benefit from cognitive development.
Dance to be happy
Dance offers all the benefits of a hardcore workout, minus the stress. Nancy Van Keuls, MD, a Cleveland Clinic pediatrician and certified Zumba instructor believes dance can be much more effective for kids who shy away from competitive activities such as organized sports.“In dance, they’ll never strike out, miss a basket or finish last,” Van Keuls explained. “They can do their own thing. They can become comfortable and confident with their own body. It’s a healthy form of self-expression.”Turn up the music and keep the following in mind:
- Find The Beat: It’s good for the heart! For maximum benefit, do at least 30 minutes of dance most days.
- Step Into Fitness: You don’t have to be sporty to reap benefits – just keep moving.
- Stretch Your Brain: Focusing on dance steps while paying attention to rhythm is smart work for the brain.
- Kick Up Your Grades: Concentrate better and score higher on academic skills tests – especially reading and math.
- Shake Off Stress: Try NOT to smile while shaking a tail feather. Dancing just feels good … and helps to fight feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Take a Breather: Dancing can make for a better night’s sleep – and better attention and performance during waking hours.
- Spin Some Fun: Dancing is a great uniting force, so grab a partner! Age doesn’t matter… anyone over the age of two should be handed a dance card.
Dance for your SELF
We all know what happens when a baby hears music or see a child’s reflexive physical reaction to music. Studies show infants are predisposed to move to music. Children feel an inclination to dance, so turn up the music.
“If you put music on, young children move to the music — its universal,” Daniel Mollner, a facilitator of weekly “ecstatic dance” events in Santa Cruz, Calif. said. “It’s natural.”
As a dancer himself, he realized that critique can be a deterrent, especially for youngsters. His advice: Dance for yourself and find “a freestyle movement where you can move your inner rhythm.”
Keep it casual and fun! Find a good beat and welcome a new sort of recess.
As kids explore movement and various postures, they begin to get a better sense of their bodies. Becoming more comfortable in their skin helps to improve confidence and self-esteem.
“This can be particularly beneficial for children who are physically or mentally impaired or those who are attempting to deal with significant emotional problems,” Livestrong reported.
Learning is Where We Play:
Dance Baby, Dance!
READ MORE
Throughout history, dance has served as a means of communicating and bonding, celebrating, healing, as well as a form of creative self-expression. It’s also an amazing activity that supports positive physical and mental health.
Recently, Canada initiated its Sharing Dance programs under Canada’s National Ballet School, citing that 90% of children do not meet physical activity guidelines; and one out of three children and youth are overweight or obese.
The initiative promotes dance for all ages, as benefits are not dependent on age. Starting children off in dance early, however, kicks off good habits that can last a lifetime, while introducing them to the best possible way to channel their boundless energy.
So, let’s look at the reasons why we should get kids up and dancing. Here is a fun playlist to sing and dance along too!
Dance for health
Kids have so much energy! Next time your class is feeling drained and needing release, consider doing the mash potato, moonwalk, or hokey pokey…
Some of the physical benefits include improved aerobic power, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility and balance – all of which contribute to lower risk of illness and injury. As if that’s not enough to get moving, Psychology Today reported that dancing improves brain functionality.
According to Livestrong, “Dancing is an aerobic form of exercise. For children who are overweight, it can potentially help them to lose weight and improve their eating habits.
”What’s more, dancing in a social setting can release endorphins – the chemical in the brain that reduces stress and pain – resulting in a feeling of wellbeing similar to what is known as a “runner’s high.” When there are learned steps and routines, dancers also benefit from cognitive development.
Dance to be happy
Dance offers all the benefits of a hardcore workout, minus the stress. Nancy Van Keuls, MD, a Cleveland Clinic pediatrician and certified Zumba instructor believes dance can be much more effective for kids who shy away from competitive activities such as organized sports.“In dance, they’ll never strike out, miss a basket or finish last,” Van Keuls explained. “They can do their own thing. They can become comfortable and confident with their own body. It’s a healthy form of self-expression.”Turn up the music and keep the following in mind:
- Find The Beat: It’s good for the heart! For maximum benefit, do at least 30 minutes of dance most days.
- Step Into Fitness: You don’t have to be sporty to reap benefits – just keep moving.
- Stretch Your Brain: Focusing on dance steps while paying attention to rhythm is smart work for the brain.
- Kick Up Your Grades: Concentrate better and score higher on academic skills tests – especially reading and math.
- Shake Off Stress: Try NOT to smile while shaking a tail feather. Dancing just feels good … and helps to fight feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Take a Breather: Dancing can make for a better night’s sleep – and better attention and performance during waking hours.
- Spin Some Fun: Dancing is a great uniting force, so grab a partner! Age doesn’t matter… anyone over the age of two should be handed a dance card.
Dance for your SELF
We all know what happens when a baby hears music or see a child’s reflexive physical reaction to music. Studies show infants are predisposed to move to music. Children feel an inclination to dance, so turn up the music.
“If you put music on, young children move to the music — its universal,” Daniel Mollner, a facilitator of weekly “ecstatic dance” events in Santa Cruz, Calif. said. “It’s natural.”
As a dancer himself, he realized that critique can be a deterrent, especially for youngsters. His advice: Dance for yourself and find “a freestyle movement where you can move your inner rhythm.”
Keep it casual and fun! Find a good beat and welcome a new sort of recess.
As kids explore movement and various postures, they begin to get a better sense of their bodies. Becoming more comfortable in their skin helps to improve confidence and self-esteem.
“This can be particularly beneficial for children who are physically or mentally impaired or those who are attempting to deal with significant emotional problems,” Livestrong reported.
Learning is Where We Play:
Stack… Stack… Learn!
- Gabrielle Fischer Posted On Jan 16, 2017 | Motor Skills
