Lots of parents want their kids to get a head start on their literacy and writing skills, but it’s a mistake to force formal writing during the early years. However, you can encourage early “writing” skills by starting a journal with your preschooler. Preschool journaling doesn’t not have to include actual letters, words or sentences!…
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Enhance Literacy Skills with Easy Origami Finger Puppets
Literacy does not always mean you have to crack open a book. What if I told you that making origami finger puppets for pretend play was a gateway to literacy? Okay, you probably know origami is great for math and problem solving, but literacy? You might need some convincing. Well, pretend play promotes creative storytelling…
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More Old School Fun: String and Bead Puzzle
Welcome back to S.T.E.A.M. Summer Camp! Last week we made thaumatropes to explore the sense of sight. This week’s theme is the sense of touch. Since my kids are rather adverse to some textures I decide to challenge their little fingers in a different way with an old fashioned string and bead puzzle. Have you…
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Fine Motor Activity: LEGO Head Rescue
I must admit, this LEGO head fine motor activity that my son has been doing every day with therapy putty for the last few weeks has me laughing every time. There’s just something so funny about LEGO heads to me! Is that weird? I have written before about my youngest son’s struggle with his fine…
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34 Play Dough Activities for Fine Motor
Play dough is great for fine motor work! Originally I had not intended to write a post about play dough activities but as today is National Play Dough day (Seriously. For real!), and I had these photos from a recent play dough session with with my 5 year old, it seemed like a fun idea. Perhaps this list…
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Handwriting Practice for Kids :: Make Writing Fun
My 5 year old is struggling a bit with his handwriting. He gets OT for fine motor work, and it’s always been my goal to make handwriting practice fun and practical. He’s still young, so I like to go slowly, with no pressure. I’ve shared how my older son practices his handwriting through writing cards….
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Motor Skills Activity: Giant Dot-to-Dot
Large + Small Motor Skills Activity: Giant Dot-to-Dot! A fun fine and gross motor skills activity is a giant dot-to-dot. You may remember New Kid working on his toddler dot-to-dot a few years back, and now he likes to get down with his marker on the floor. I love the way a giant floor connect-the-dots…
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Preschool Fine Motor Development Activity: Journal “Writing”
We are working on developing fine motor skills a lot around here lately. Four year-old New Kid was recently diagnosed with some fine motor delays. Even though he now receives occupational therapy services at school we are supplementing with a range of fine motor skill activities at home to strengthen those important finger muscles! Fine…
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