For this week’s Tools Tuesday I want to talk about chalk. As an occupational therapist, I love chalk! I know it can be messy, but there are huge benefits to using a chalkboard and chalk vs. using a whiteboard and dry-erase markers. Using chalk provides a different proprioceptive (body awareness) input because of the pressure required. The greater the input is, the easier it is for the student to learn how to grade the pressure. A chalkboard is better than a whiteboard because it takes more effort to write, thus increasing the child’s muscle tone and strength. When using a smooth, slippery marker and whiteboard, the student does not get the feedback needed. Using a chalkboard, have your child write letters, numbers and/or words or draw pictures with chalk. Have him/her erase them with small pieces of paper towel or a damp sponge.
Aside from using chalk with a chalkboard, I love to get creative with sidewalk chalk. You can use regular size chalk, jumbo size, or small pieces. It’s a very fun way to build fine motor skills. Not only does it help to increase strength in the hands, but getting into different positions help engage the core (trunk) muscles. By drawing really big, your student has to reach out and support their body with their non-dominant hand, providing more proprioceptive input to their upper extremity. Using smaller pieces of chalk helps to promote the grasp needed for using a pencil. Below are just a few ideas to explore with using sidewalk chalk.
- Draw shapes and color them in
- Play games: Tick-Tack-Toe, hangman, hopscotch, etc.
- Write numbers/letters/words
- Upper & Lowercase Letter Match-up
- Draw pictures and color them in
- Shadow Art: trace the shadow of a person or a favorite toy (i.e., dinosaurs, cars, etc.)
- Movement pathways/obstacle course
- Math problems
Below are some pictures of my 7 year-old nephew, Ethan, and the awesome sidewalk art he created during our stay-at-home order. Ethan, great job! I am so proud of you! I can’t wait to see more of your artwork!
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