Fine Motor Skills. - Clinton,MO

In pre-K, my son's teacher pointed out that she thought he had a small fine motor delay. The pediatrician Rx's OT for about 10 weeks and it did wonders!
He might find it easier to write with a pencil with a grippy on it, a triangular pencil and color with nubs of crayons.
He can work on mazes, sticking round stickers into circles drawn about the same size, picking up pennies from a table using only on hand at a time, Playdoh is great for strengthening hands/fingers, as is a small stress ball.
Also things like pick up sticks, tiddly-winks, sticking stickers into sticker books, crumbling tissue paper or newspaper into balls...
Google "fine motor activities" and you will get a lot more ideas!

These are all things that will help strengthen his fingers and hands. They are all fun.

With playdo, have him make tiny balls with just his fore finger and thumb. Then have him place them in a line, side by side. After they are all lined up, have him squish each one with his forefinger or thumb.
Get a big piece of paper and have him draw some straight lines. then some wiggle lines. Get a small car and have him "drive" the car with just his fore finger then just with his thumb and have him "drive on the lines."..
Pour out a piggy bank and have him separate all of the coins into piles. Then have him place each coin back in the bank.
give him a pair of tongs and have him practice picking up different hings, only using the tongs.
Then let him try with a clothes pin..
Sidewalk chalk
Paint brush with water "painting" on a sidewalk
using pencils to connect some dots..
These are all things that will help strengthen his fingers and hands. They are all fun..
I just remembered these also..
I forgot about these.. Have him button every shirt you hang up as the come out of the washer or dryer once they are hung up.
Get a box of large paper clips and have hm make a chain.. Then later get a box or small paper clips and have him make those into a chain.
Hang the chain in his room at his level.. Each time he makes a picture at school or home.. have him "attach" it to the chain.
Give him old magazines and have him cut out pictures. Then give him glue sticks and to Paste (with a brush applicator) and let him make collages.. The next time you need a gift wrapped. Consider letting him cover the box in cut up pieces of paper, news paper, etc..

For his balance and leg strength... Draw a chalk line on the sidewalk and have him walk on the line. One foot right in front of the other. Then have him do it backwards, then sideways. You do it too.

See what the tiniest steps he can take. The the longest steps.

Have him hop up and down with 2 legs.. Then one leg then the other.. Then hop from on spot to the other.. then on each leg.

Have him walk on a curb or one of those parking blocks.

Have him walk up the steps holding on to the rail for help and then with out the rail.

Hold a broom and have him jump over it with 2 feet.

Have him crawl on his hands and knees. Race on your hands and knees while crawling. Have him try pull ups. Have him practice hanging from a bar at a playground. Have him practice the climbing at the playgrounds as ofter as possible.

Play Simon says.. Include all of these instructions. Let him also lead the Simon says.

From your last post I think your son is 4 almost 5, right?

Laurie A. responded to a similar post back in Sept, I'll see if I can find it. But she also sent me some info that might be helpful to you as well.

"Some more fine motor skill activities.

I forgot about these.. Have him button every shirt you hang up as the come out of the washer or dryer once they are hung up.

Get a box of large paper clips and have hm make a chain.. Then later get a box or small paper clips and have him make those into a chain.

Hang the chain in his room at his level.. Each time he makes a picture at school or home.. have him "attach" it to the chain.

Give him old magazines and have him cut out pictures. Then give him glue sticks and to Paste (with a brush applicator) and let him make collages.. The next time you need a gift wrapped. Consider letting him cover the box in cut up pieces of paper, news paper, etc..

REMIND him, "we NEVER" cut up books.. And only the magazines and newspapers mom, dad and the teacher allow you to lose.

Laurie"

Great Ideas Laurie, we're having fun with them! Thanks!!

EDIT: I found the original post, which is more in regards to writing specifically at this age, but there are some fun ideas if you read through the responses. I hope this helps: http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/17345812194872459265

Try having him do connect the dots. You can buy a whole book of dot-to-dot pages for pre-k at any store that sells books...even at Toys R Us. Having to write short lines like that will help him gain better grip control.

We found out on accident opening Hersey Kisses is a GREAT fine motor skill.

How old is he?
Because, that matters.
These things are developmental.

Speak to your Pediatrician.
There is fine-motor, gross-motor, and motor planning development.
All age stage related.

I checked your profile to find out the age of your child, you said you had a 4yr. old in Pre-K so I am assuming this is that child.

I would talk to the pre-K teacher and ask her if she sees anything out of line with what he is doing. Some kids this age are a little behind, maybe still using their gross muscles to write and color. Like from the elbows or wrist instead of the finger tips.

For example, when he colors a picture:
Is he moving his whole arm? from the shoulder? or the elbow? I can color a picture just by holding a crayon and moving my wrist only. It's not a great work of art but it's colored. If he is doing any of these only then he may need to work with a physical therapist to see if he has some motor issues. If he is normal for his age then it's just one of those things.

My 4 yr. old doesn't keep his hand on the page and wiggle his fingers holding a crayon, like we do when we write a letter or note. He is still coloring/writing from his wrist and palm somewhat.

I think finding out what the teacher thinks would be a great first stop.