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Small Motor Skills

Small Motor Skills

Okay so here is a really quick and easy way to turn those odd items into a fun learning experience for your preschool class.

NOTE: This activity is not recommended for small children who still mouth items.

First you will need the following Items:

Sorting Cups: I found these little clear cups at Dollar Tree. They come 10 in a pack and have lids too. However, I just tossed the lids out because I didn’t need them for this activity.

 

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Binder/Book Rings:
I found these 3″ binder/book rings at Office Depot in a pack of 10. They are an awesome find because you can use them for more then binding paper .
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/937633/Office-Depot-Brand-Loose-Leaf-Rings/
3 inch binder rings

Large Fuse Beads
http://www.amazon.com/Perler-BIGGIE-Fusion-Bucket-Assorted-Colors/dp/B003L2ECE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426083777&sr=8-1&keywords=large+fuse+beads

fuse beads

 

 

Tongs/Tweezers:

Tongs/tweezers can be found at many places. Lakeshore Learning and Oriental Trading are just two of the companies who sell them. Please click the image to be redirected to their store.

Option 1

tongs 1

Option 2tongs 2

 

Option 3

tongs 3

Option 4

tongs 4

 


Trays:

You should have 1 tray per child doing this activity because the fuse beads will roll off the table if you don’t use one.  I used hospital trays but you can use any tray.

 

 

Activity 1:

Once you have all of the above items you need to set 4-6 sorting cups on the tray. Place 1 different color in each cup then let the child sort each color by hand using their thumb and index pincher grasp.

Activity 2:

Set 4-6 sorting cups on the tray. Place 1 different color in each cup then let the child sort each color into the sorting cups by using the tongs to pick them up with.

Activity 3:

Give each child a binder/book ring then place 1 color on the ring. Once the color is on the ring show them how to add more of the same color to the ring.

Activity 4:

Give each child a binder/book ring then place 2 different colors on the ring to create an A-B pattern. (For example red blue-red blue-red blue)


Short video of this activity:

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