Learning at Home: Fine Motor Fun with Creative Expression
Last week, we discussed avoiding worksheets and instead, engage our children in fine motor activities that will prepare them for writing the letters of the alphabet and numbers – which they will be ready for later- not now.
Earlier is not always better when it comes to handwriting and children. Parents can help provide a strong foundation for later writing by having lots of fine motor fun now.
Here are some ideas that also allow children to express their creativity…
- Spray non-menthol shaving cream on a cookie pan and draw shapes and designs (add in some vocabulary words such “I noticed you just drew a line that is … horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved, straight, wavy, etc.) Note: If you want your child to practice writing the letters in his/her name- this is a great developmentally appropriate learning tool. Ask your child to write his/her name in the shaving cream.
- Allow your child to tear apart pieces of paper (old magazines, junk mail, etc.) and
Tearing paper for fine motor fun and creating yourself make a picture of him/herself. (note: tearing is a GREAT fine motor activity since your child has to use both hands and use them in opposite directions)
3. Make a “chandelier” by weaving or tying ribbon onto an old bike wheel, an old tennis racket, chicken wire or empty picture frame.

4. Make a cotton ball picture. Pinch the cotton balls and tear them apart to make wispy clouds or designs. Read the book, It Looks Like Spilt Milk by Charles B. Shaw and make your own cloud pictures.
5. Tear tissue paper or magazines into small squares. Roll them in your fingers and glue them on paper to make a picture.

6. Cut apart paint samples and then use the pieces to design a greeting card.
7. Finger-paint or paint with a small square of a sponge (pinching the sponge between your index finger and thumb).
- Using an eyedropper, squeeze one drop of colored water at a time on to a coffee filter – watch the colors mix.
Colored water dropped onto coffee filters DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE COPY OF THIS POST: LEARNING AT HOME- FINE MOTOR FUN AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION