Play dough is a great tool to increase fine motor, visual motor, bilateral coordination, manipulation, and grasping skills. It also provides sensory input as the child touches the play dough. You can also complete these activities using home made dough if you don’t have play dough. Show you child how to complete the activities or exercises before asking them to do it. Provide physical assistance if they need help.

Activities to do with playdough. Use store bought or make some at home. 

Hand strengthening exercises, use playdough instead of TheraPutty. 

Click on the video below to watch a playdough activity to try at home. If your child is practicing drawing shapes or writing, have them draw shapes or write letters and numbers to squish with playdough balls. Your child can also work on shape/letter/number identification during the activity. For example, ask your child “Where is letter A? Squish letter A”. This will also help increase their visual attending and scanning skills.

Clothing fasteners can be tricky for children who have difficulties grasping, using both hands together in a coordinated way, and following step by step instructions.

Practice unbuttoning and unzipping first. Once they are able to unfasten, practice fastening buttons and zipper. Practice using loose fitted clothing. If your child has trouble latching a zipper, latch it for him/her and pull the zipper up a little. Then have your child pull up the zipper the remainder of the way. Practice tying shoes by placing a shoe on the table or floor in front of the child. You can help your child using verbal, physical, and visual help. Don’t rush the child and give them positive feedback as they practice.

Pause the video below and have your child practice buttoning, zipping, and shoe tying.