Fine motor help/ toys 7 yo boy

[tinkerbellini]

My ds has appalling handwriting and the teachers have said he needs to improve his muscles in his hand and pencil grip and fine motor skills and gross motor skills ( which apparently help the fine)

Any ideas on what I can get to help

He is 7

Lego. My DS's handwriting improved immensely when he started really getting into Lego building. I would look for second hand bulk buys.

Squidgy balls, modelling clay, crafts, airfix/lego, puzzles, games with small pieces, musical instruments with fingering.

There are lots of things you can do.

Lego is a great one for the movements but it doesn't always improve the strength.

Look up OT Finger strengthening activities on Google too, lots of help there. OT is an abbreviation for Occupational Therapist btw. My

Scrunch paper up in his hands, stretch elastic bands between his fingers etc.

Playdoh is fantastic. He needs to roll and squash/twist the dough a lot though not just cut. Some schools do a dough disco where you roll and mainulate dough to music. Give it a Google.

Often difficulties in handwriting are not that simplistic and the 'issue' can be something else. Sometimes it's a lack of core strength causing the problem, sometimes shoulder strength. It can also be double jointedness.

How does he hold his pencil?
Are his letters formed correctly?
Does he press hard on the paper?
Does he tire easily when writing?
What is he like with activities such as climbing and balancing?

My daughter's upper body strength (and handwriting) improved immensely (!!) when she started going to indoor climbing lessons once a week. It's a super sport (that also encompasses problem-solving) if you have it anywhere near you. She couldn't hold herself up on one monkey bar when she was younger, nowadays she can climb the most complex ones back and fourth (and she's no feather, so it takes real strength).

Do they still have rubber grips which indicate how to old a pencil correctly. I'm dyspraxic and remember they really helped. Also cutlery which showed how to old it.

Started playing piano which seemed to help.
Yes to Lego, card games. Learning how to hold cards properly

as above.
Also Hamma beads and K'nex.
Additionally, hanging out the washing with clothes pegs.

Would the “operation” game work.?

At age 7 I would also be investigating whether he has dyspraxia.

Playlearn 5 x Therapy Putty Squeezable Non-Toxic, Hand Exercise, 5 Strengths Extra Soft/Soft/Soft-Medium/Medium/Firm Individually Colour Coded for Adults & Children 57g (2oz) Tubs www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0776ZCY6T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9wMZDb8215ZX8?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

We were recommended these by an OT. Give it time. He's only seven. Once he gets older and you're still worried, have a look at magic link handwriting, it has really helped many dyspraxic children and some private schools use it for all their children.

I am going to repeat the suggestion for indoor climbing. It doesn't have to be a serious hobby you can just go to clip n climb book in for an hour and let them play! Massively helped my son's fine motor skills and his fitness generally actually Some of them have after school clubs too.

I'd get lots of fine motor toys too though!

yes to lego
generally arts and crafts - cutting out shapes
general strength - monkey bars, cycling, (tree) climbing

a bit controversial = whittling (you can get whittling knives for kids with a blunt tip)

Hama beads are good, especially if he tries moving them with tweezers. Also, try training chopsticks (ie Rookie Stix) - they are chopsticks which are a bit like giant tweezers. Practising picking things up with those will help fine and gross motor skills.

DS had fine motor issues & his handwriting is still really bad (he's 21!). He's really hyper mobile, so physios explained they muscles are working extra hard to stabilise joints. He would grip really hard & press really hard.

PP who mentioned core & shoulder strength has described exactly my son. He has EDS, so many of his joints are hyper mobile & his muscle tone isn't great. He would have to lean onto the desk to write. An OT assessment meant he was given a seating wedge & sloping desk plus he had intensive physio.

I would speak to your GP about hyper mobility as they can look at his joints & if need be, refer him to a rheumatologist. Then he would probably get physio support too - and OT & orthotics if needed.

Obviously, I'm only going on how my son presented, and your son may very well simply have issues with his fine motor skills. But it's worth checking.

Lots of good suggestions above. Also practise letter formation in less conventional ways ie with crayons outside, colouring etc. Look at the National handwriting association website for activities. Also google developmental coordination disorder which is a more used term than dyspraxia. How is he with cutting, cutlery, zips, shoe laces etc?