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Original poster

DS has been invited to the "Finger Gym" at school

33 replies

cjt110 · 28/01/2019 13:09

We got a letter in DS' bag that he has been invited, with other classmates, to attend the finger gym. This is to work in small groups to assist his motor skills for writing.

He started school in Sept.

Is this something I should be worried about? A friend of mine, whose son is in the same class and same birth month, has also had the same letter.

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 28/01/2019 13:10

Why would you be worried? Confused

GertrudeWilloughby · 28/01/2019 13:12

It doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. More that they've identified him as being someone who could benefit from it.

drspouse · 28/01/2019 13:12

Both of mine do extra motor skills practice and like it.
DS is in Y2 and has some fairly obvious problems that I've been pointing out since nursery.
DD however is just in the "not yet writing her name neatly" group in Reception, seems a bit overkill to me but she enjoys it.

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DangerMouse17 · 28/01/2019 13:13

Why would you be worried about it? The school have identified a problem and have put something in place for the class/year to resolve.

I imagine the kids will pick it up with a bit of 1:1 support and reach out to you if there is anything you need to do specifically. My DS has had similar sessions over the years for times tables etc and they were very effective.

noblegiraffe · 28/01/2019 13:15

Reference to same birth month suggests summer-born?

They will need support with fine-motor skills and handwriting as young in the class so see this as a positive thing.

DelurkingAJ · 28/01/2019 13:20

My DS1 has help with fine motor and has since Reception because he’s (like me) left handed and they are aware that that can lead to handwriting being more problematic (don’t I just know it!) so they want to build his skills before that happens.

We did, however, have a very polite email conversation with the SENCO to establish this. We worded it (as was true) that we wanted to be able to support the school so wanted to understand the focus of the extra help.

All went very well and now in Y1 his handwriting is on a par with his classmates (it wasn’t before and he’s an autumn birthday).

Essay over - just ask them nicely if you’re worried!

CoodleMoodle · 28/01/2019 13:20

DD is also in reception and has no problems with writing, but her physical skills (including things like doing up buttons) could do with a bit of extra development, so her teacher put her forward for balance bike club. It's probably a similar thing with your DS, and he'll love it!

Her class also do 'dough disco' every day before they do their daily writing. It's supposed to loosen up their finger muscles...

SwimmingJustKeepSwimming · 28/01/2019 13:23

Finger gym is great fun! My daughter's whole class did it in autumn term of year R. For them it was fun rhymes with fingers, and playdough. Lots of fine motor skills that will help with writing.

Id be pleases they were putting it in place rather than worrying, but speak to the teacher or at open evening if you are concerned. At home colouring in/ cutting and sticking with scissors, playdough are all good activities to have about if you can.

SwimmingJustKeepSwimming · 28/01/2019 13:23

Dough disco! That was the name! Have a look on you tube. Its crazy but fun.

Joinourclub · 28/01/2019 13:23

That sounds great. I wish my dcs school did the same, my summer born dc is really struggling with his pencil grip.

elliejjtiny · 28/01/2019 13:24

My ds does something similar and he really enjoys it.

WatcherintheRye · 28/01/2019 13:26

They will need support with fine-motor skills and handwriting as young in the class

Surely it depends on the child? Not all summer-born children need support, and some children older in the year will still need it.

Willow1992 · 28/01/2019 13:26

I agree, see it as a positive thing! He is getting the help he needs and a reception aged boy needing a bit of help with handwriting is in no way an indicator of how well he will do when he is older, it's really common and just to do with young children developing motor skills at different rates.

If you want to give him extra help at home then any toys or activities which are a bit fiddly are great - Lego, hama beads, small puzzles, modelling clay, detailed colouring sheets, dot to dots etc.

Holidayshopping · 28/01/2019 13:28

Yes-be very concerned. Ring Ofsted and then ring The Daily Mail.

Grin

Joke.

It’ll just be an intervention to work on activities to develop fine motor skills-it’ll be fun stuff like pegs, threading, play dough etc. He’ll probably love it!

Bunnybigears · 28/01/2019 13:31

Sounds like a great idea why would you be concerned that the school are giving extra help to those that need it. Way better this way than them telling you in the end of year report your child is struggling habing done nothing to help all year.

Original poster
cjt110 · 28/01/2019 13:31

Thanks all. We literally got a letter and not much else. We haven't had much feedback really on his progress since he started so I suppose I didn't know if it means he is lagging behind etc. They also learn, from the get go, cursive writing with the wooshes etc. She can write OK in normal letters and can clearly write his own name, Mummy and Daddy.

@noblegiraffe Yes. August born.

He regularly writes and chalks at home with us.

OP posts:
Original poster
cjt110 · 28/01/2019 13:32

@Holidayshopping Don't give such a shitty snarky remark to a genuine question... I have no idea if such a class means he's failing to thrive or what hence asking for advice.

OP posts:
Apple23 · 28/01/2019 13:34

The time to worry is if he is falling behind and school doesn’t take any action, or if school does not keep you informed of what is happening.

noblegiraffe · 28/01/2019 13:39

Watcher obviously older children may need support too, but a summer-born boy needing support with fine motor skills is totally common and unlikely to be a longer term cause for concern. Lots of practice at home with scissors, pegs, threading activities, playdoh will support this.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 28/01/2019 13:42

I wouldn't worry at his age. All the kids at the school on my street do "Dough Disco" (complete with music, lights and finger dancing).

KurriKurri · 28/01/2019 13:46

My DD learned cursive writing from the start and she took a little longer to get to grips with it, but ended up with better handwriting than my ds who learned the other way.
I'm sure your DS will enjoy the class - they will give them fun stuff to do and it is good they have identified a potential problem before it actually becomes a problem -sounds like a good school, and sounds as if some of his friends will be there too so he'll just think it is a fun extra.

SoupDragon · 28/01/2019 13:47

I suppose I didn't know if it means he is lagging behind etc.

It means he needs extra help with his motor skills for writing. That's all. You can see that as "lagging behind" in that some children are better than him but it's better to see it as a positive that they are working on it early.

KurriKurri · 28/01/2019 13:51

If you google fine motor skills activities for children. it will give you an idea of the sort of thing involved, and you might be able to do s ome of the activities at home, or get some games that will reinforce what he learns. (I had to have help with fine motor skills after an operation caused nerve damage in my right arm - I did a lot of colouring and things like putting marbles into a jar with a spoon, threading beads etc).

KurriKurri · 28/01/2019 13:51

As an adult I had help I mean

CreakyBlinder · 28/01/2019 13:56

Our kids all do 'funky finger' exercises every day in P1. It's to help with their fine motor skills and helping them hold a pencil in the right position.

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