Page 7 - Module 2: Teachers Guide for Getting Ready for Writing PONY

Module 2: Getting Ready for Writing Teacher’s Guide.
Objective: Increasing the symmetrical control of the muscles in the hands
Lesson Plan:
Providing the opportunity the children to learn control of the interosseous muscles of the hands. These muscles open and close the fingers without flexing or bending the fingers.
1. Position marbles on a tray or on a table top. Have a pot close to the marbles for the child to drop the marbles into.
2. The children place both hands on the table top, palms facing down with the fingers straight.
3. Keeping the fingers straight, the children slide their hands towards the marbles, opening the fingers in readiness to trap the marbles between the straight fingers.
4. The children then closes their fingers, securing the marbles between the fingers, before picking up the marbles and dropping them in the pot.
5. Repeat this until all the marbles are in the pot.
This movement needs to be included regularly and frequently across the week.
More to Learn:
1. When stronger, the interosseous muscles help provide stability within the hand
for the developing pencil grip. Stability will enable a children to isolate control in
the
thumb, index and middle finger.
2. Children need to work on this activity until they can control symmetrical movements in the hands and also keep their fingers straight on the marbles.
Support:
Some children may find it difficult to control their fingers, they will bend and try to ‘grasp’ the marbles. It is important to demonstrate straight fingers, opening and closing them without bending them.
Keep this movement going until the children can control both hands at the same time. Look out for those that do one hand and then the other.
© 2016. Shelley Birkett-Eyles. Hemispheres Think Write Limited
Motor Skills