Fine Motor Skill Educational Toys
Products that Help Improve Handwriting and Small Muscle Development
Looking for a way for children to practice their fine motor skills and improve their handwriting? These educational toys are fun activities that will build small muscles.
Studies have shown that nearly 60 - 70% of children's school work require fine motor skills (Landy & Burridge 1999). From handwriting to manipulating objects, children with poor fine motor development often struggle in the classroom. Rather than forcing long hours of handwriting practice, parents and teachers can turn to these children's products that promote fine motor development. These toys and activities are suited for toddlers through school age children as they channel kids' energy and allow for fun, tear-free experiences.
Colorations® Fingertip Crayons
Available through Discount School Supply, these crayons will have your child scrambling for the nearest sheet of blank paper. There are three different ways that these cleverly designed crayons work to build fine motor skills. One, the crayon slips on to the finger, allowing children to write or color using the muscles of their fingers. Two, children can practice palm grasp when gripping the stubby base of the crayon, which focuses on a different set of small muscles. Third, the stacking nature of the crayons serves as a manipulative device. In these ways, children coordinate the muscles of the hand in tandem with their eyes to aid the development of their fine motor skills.
eeBoo Lacing Cards
Lacing cards are another fabulous way to get children practicing the pincer grasps of the fingers and to promote hand-eye coordination. The downside of most lacing cards is that they are often designed with greater appeal to little girls. Children's product manufacturer eeBoo, addresses that concern with their wide selection of lacing cards that are appropriate for both boys and girls. These lacing cards use graphics from beloved children's book illustrators. Laminated on both sides for durability, the cards are quite sturdy. eeBoo's lacing cards received Parenting Magazine's Top Toy Award.
Craft Easels
Whenever possible, children should practice their artwork on a vertical surface (other than mischievous scribbles on walls). Working upright incorporates arm and shoulder movements and affects the position of the wrist and thumb. There are a wide variety of easels at an equally wide range of costs on the market. Preferred easels for fine motor development are ones that require children to stand and have a steeper angle, because they make children further extend the wrist back toward the shoulder.
Operation Board Game
This classic board game made by Hasbro will do more than get children giggling. Using the tweezers to extract strange items from Cavity Sam develops muscles required for pencil grasp. Parents and teachers should be mindful that this game is intended for children age 6 and up.
Play Dough Activity Sets
Whether it be store bought or homemade, the kneading and pulling of play dough allows children to work and strengthen the muscles of the hands. Purchasing a dough tool kit will not only help keep the child’s interest in the activity, but allow different muscles to exercise. Cutting, pushing, rolling and pulling of dough are all different ways that positively influence fine motor skill development.
Getting children to exercise the fine muscles required of handwriting and other school activities does not have to be torturous. Parents and teachers can find productive activities that are fun and educational. These learning toys will have children practicing these important skills without complaint.
For further reading: Educational and Cheap Toddler Toys and Waldorf Toys and Learning Theory.
References:
Discount School Supply. Colorations® Fingertip Crayons. Website. Accessed 01/28/2008.
eeBoo. eeBoo Lacing Cards. Website. Accessed 01/28/2008/
Hasbro.Operation. Website. Accessed 01/28/2008.
Joanne M. Landy and Keith R. Burridge. Ready-to-Use Fine Motor Skills & Handwriting Activities for Young Children. The Center for Applied Research and Education.1999.
