One of the tools that I use frequently in OT is theraputty or play-dough. It is used to increase the strength of the muscles of the fingers and hands overall. Not only is playing with the theraputty or play-dough fun, but it is also used to work on finger isolation, dexterity, bilateral coordination, imaginative play, and much more. Theraputty comes in several color-coded resistance levels. If theraputty is not available, play-dough or clay can be great alternatives. Here are a few things you can do with play-dough or theraputty:
1. Hide objects in the putty and have your child go for a “treasure hunt” with their fingers. This is a great way to give the fingers a fine motor workout without your child even realizing it.
2. Roll the dough/putty into a snake and/or ball. It seems like a simple activity, but your child will have to grade his/her hands to use the appropriate pressure.
3. Make shapes out of the dough/putty and have your child imitate the shapes you create. Make the sun, fish, flowers, etc. This is a great way to practice turn-taking skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
4. “Bake” with it: Knead it into bread and then form a few loaves. You could also roll it out with a rolling pin and then cut out cookies. If you don’t have cookie cutters, just use an upside-down cup.
5. Throw a birthday party: Have your child cut a straw into small pieces and also form a rounded “cake” shape out of the putty/dough. Then have them put the straw “birthday candles” on the cake.
6. Form the putty/dough into a log and use a pair of scissors to cut chunks off. This activity works on cutting skills as well as bilateral coordination. (Your child will have to use both hands together – stabilizing the dough in one hand and working the scissors with the other.)
7. Cut the putty/dough into pieces with a child-safe knife. To make the activity more difficult, the child can practice using a fork to stabilize the putty while he/she cuts it to work on practical feeding/eating and utensil skills.
8. Form the putty/dough into letters and shapes, or have them spell out their name, pet’s name, favorite color, etc.
For more ideas, download the Play-dough or Theraputty Activities document.
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