COLOR
I can't say it enough. Color with the children. As grownups (big kids) sit with kids, we can show them how to hold the crayons and control the coloring stroke. Use coloring books and plain paper. Cut up a box and color on the blank inside part. They should soon be using various colors in the pictures. The children will go through a stage that they will want to make everything a rainbow of colors. Point out the appropriate color for objects. (Trees have green leaves and a brown trunk.) Use as many colors in their pictures as they are old.
You don't have to be an artist to show them how to draw something. Begin with making Stick figures.
Write on a chalkboard (or verticle surface)
Developing fine motor begins with using LARGE muscle movements from the shoulder.
'Start at the top' is what I say as we begin to make a shape or letter or number. Make large circles on a chalkboard or whiteboard. Over and over again. Then you can gradually make it smaller and smaller.
Work at eye level on the board.
Make it in the air.
When learning how to make a letter, practice air writing.
Write it on the floor.
Put a board/paper on the floor and allow the children to lean over their work. Some children may be on their knees while some may be able to sit and lean forward. They will be making it smaller and smaller as they feel more control of their stroke.
Allow time for scribbling.
Again, they will be making their shape movements large at first. AND they should be encouraged to make them large.
Make marks left to right and up and down.
Dry Erase Boards
I like dry erase boards because they have a smooth surface and the markers are thicker to use with small hands.
Dictated drawing
Show children one stroke at a time and say "make one like this". Use words to describe the designated mark.
Say things like: 'Start at the top and go straight down' "Pick up your pencil and start at the top'
'Make a circle starting at the top and go around'
'Go straight across'
Give directions such as 'Go down, stop, across' and make sure children are doing what they are saying.
Make verticle lines, horizontal lines, diagonal lines, then work on connecting the lines in a zigzag stroke, combining horizontal and vertical pattern of lines.
Make a 'hill' starting at the bottom and make a hill or bump.
Start at the top and make a scoop cup shape.
FOLD PAPER
This is not easy for most kindergarten children.
Teach children how to fold in half matching the paper corners. Following directional words top, left, bottom, sides, right, corner, and roll is lesson one.
Bring paper down to match corners.
Move paper from left side over on top of right side corners.
Press the folded edge with fingertips for a nice crease.
USING SCISSORS
Before picking up scissors, practice with tongs to develop the open and closing movement. Pick up porcupine balls and move (holding tight) to an ice cube tray.
Then get smaller movement with tweezers used for picking up small beads, toothpicks, pieces of ribbon, paper bits.
TEAR PAPER
Practice 'tearing' paper using fingertips. Make paper bits (can be saved for a collage). Hold a paper between the thumb and pointer finger and tear paper around keeping ahold of the paper 'bit'.
CUTTING
I love the ideas that Jamie from Hands On As We Grow.
Check out many of her ideas at
http://handsonaswegrow.com
She suggested to begin with allowing small children to cut the grass. They will start just using the tips of the scissors.
Use old scissors to cut playdoh 'hot dogs'. Again mostly using the tips of the scissors.
Thumb's on top and point out away from you. Hold by your tummy.
Sometimes cutting paper is so difficult to manipulate using both hands. One to hold and the other to cut. Cut straws into pieces. The straws are stiff enough and it takes some strength to cut through the straw. Now to try to use the back part of the scissors for full cutting strokes.
Cut up old greeting cards. The paper is heavier and not so slippery.
When you're ready for paper, allow children time to just cut into pieces. Try giving paper strips to cut, cut, cut. Gradually introduce larger scraps.
PLAYDOH
Whether it is store bought dough or homemade. Using playdoh helps develop those small muscles. Roll the dough into a smooth ball, use one hand to roll front to back (forward and backward) with slight pressure to make a hot dog. More pressure and two hands makes a snake and a skinny worm.
Pinch off bits of playdoh and roll it back together again.
Soon the children will be able to combine balls and skinny worms to 'make something.'
THE MORE THEY PRACTICE, the better they will get.
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