Are any of your students struggling to write? Have VERY large printing or just lacking the stamina to make it through your Writers Workshop? You need Fine Motor Activities to work and build those little finger muscles. I’m compiling a helpful easy go to list for myself so I thought why not share?

Go to Fine Motor Activity #1 Playdough!

It can be purchased in bulk now on Amazon or you can always do it the old fashion way at home with a little food colouring and Creme of tartar you are good to go for a number of weeks. I like to keep it in a ziplock at night so that it doesn’t dry out. Try this easy recipe I found online here. This one is classic, kids never get bored of it. Place out some scissors, pipe cleaners, toothpicks or Mr. Potato head (limbs and face features) for some added enjoyment and engagement with your littles.

Fine Motor Go to #2 – Scissors.

Yep sit them at a table have an adult supervise this one (to avoid any unnecessary haircuts) and let them try. You can create papers with various lines for them to practice cutting or just give them paper and let them explore cutting it how they choose. It all improves the finger muscles and will get them to where they need to go. If you like to spiral down a Pinterest rabbit hole as I enjoy doing from time to time (or every day ha) you will see all kinds of cool ideas to explore. I highly recommend instagram as another great place to gather and share ideas.

Don’t forget the Goop/Oobleck! Found Under Fine Motor Most Favourite for our #3.

Oobleck is super cool because it’s both a liquid and a solid. Talk about a Science lesson and a half. With Oobleck you can get in all your sensory needs along with those fine motor skills. It is simple, a combination of Corn Starch I just add an amount I want then add in water with some food colouring, if you want to make it extra fun. I also like to add in orange, lemon, cinnamon, mint flavouring (or whatever else I fancy that day) to the food colouring to hit almost all those senses they could taste it but I don’t tell them to. Check out my instagram here to see it in action. So fun!

Don’t misjudge the value of water and sponges!

Kids absolutely LOVE this one. I’m taking hours and hours of fun and two seconds of prep work. Such a great idea on any day you want a quick great sensory, fine motor activity. I am loving the new tuff tray for these activities. Easy to use, clean and change out your activity. I get asked by my students to put this activity out weekly. It works for any toys that need a good wash too just throw them in the bowl and let them play. Water is easy clean up and the scrubbing works their little finger muscles preparing them for future days of endless story writing.

To see more sensory ideas click here to check out my post on exactly that. The idea here is anything thing that allows students to work on strengthening their finger muscles helps them to develop a strong fine motor skill. It doesn’t begin by looking like story writing right off the bat it’s a slow build up to where you want them to be but with a little imagination they can have lots of fun along the way.

With Love, C.