Got a minute activity: fine motor coordination

Learn and practice the "Jumping Rubber band" trick. Place a rubber band around the index and pointer fingers, close your hand and when opened again the rubber band "jumps" to the ring and little finger. How is it done? While the hand is closed, secretly stretch and slip all of your fingertips, under the stretched band. When you open the fingers again, the rubber band will come off the 1st fingers and go around the last two. 

 Years ago, famed magician David Cooperfield joined forces with, Julie DeJean, OTR and developed Project Magic. It was a collection of magic tricks and  illusions selected for the motor skills and coordination required to complete them. It's goal was to motivate as well as to improve motor skills.

"Most people with disabilities have come to believe that they are less capable than a non-disabled person. Therefore, the ability to perform simple magic allows them to do something that others cannot. Performing magic involves knowing something that the audience does not know - the secret. The performer can work "miracles."This baffles the spectator and creates within the performer a sense of accomplishment, pride, and self-fulfillment.Self-esteem and motivation are essential to the achievement of rehabilitation goals" (https://projectmagic.org)

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The Skill of Eating an Ice Cream Cone

The skill of eating an ice cream cone A handout & home program...

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Improve hand skills with rubber bands!

Doriet Bialer, OTD, MA, OTR has developed a number of hand splint designs using only rubber bands and surgical tape. These splints are quick, temporary, inexpensive and easy to do "on the fly".

Her new manual, "Functional Hand Splints: An Easy DIY" demonstrates step-by-step how to 'twist and turn' a rubber band to improve various grasp patterns, even a dynamic tripod grasp for handwriting.  Imagine, walking into a classroom, with just rubber bands and tape, and immediately being able to influence a students skills!

Available as a set with manual and enough materials to get you started, manual only (you have to gather materials) or materials only (refills).

Here's more info...

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Cup & Scoop in the classroom improves hand skills

Cupping or Scooping can easily be incorporated into daily tasks in and out of the classroom.

Cupping or Scooping work on palmar arches needed for hand skills. Activities can easily be incorporated into daily tasks in and out of the classroom. Here are some ideas to get you started...  Here are some examples: Palmar arches are what gives hands shape and functionality. They appear plump, with many bumps and valleys. A hand with weak arches may appear flat with limited muscle development. Fine motor tasks like writing and buttoning can be a challenge and hands may fatigue quickly. So let's work on those arches by CUPPING! Yup- good ole cupping and scooping uses all 3 arches. Drink water from a faucet using hands as a cup. (Sneak in hand-washing practice first!) Offer hand lotion - a great sensory warm up before fine motor and writing tasks. Encourage rubbing each individual finger several times, as well as the palms and back of the hands. Scoop up quantities of objects - Loose the shovels and cups from the sand or rice table. Only hands allowed.  Board Games-  The very nice dice shakers can be re-purposed as pencil holders or flower pots! Teach how to cup hands together, leaving a space for the dice to shake freely.  Clean up, Clean up, Everybody SCOOP some toys! Practice the "Baby Bumblebee Song!" (while searching for the correct lyrics & accompanying hand motions- we found several versions. This one is cute & slightly longer than the original - we think you'll like it.) I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, Won't my mommy be so proud of me, (Cup hands together as if holding bee) I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, Ouch! It stung me! (Shake hands as if just stung) (continued) I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee, Won't my mommy be so proud of me, ('Squish' bee between palms of hands) I'm squishing up a baby bumblebee, Ooh! It's yucky! (Open up hands to look at 'mess') I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee, Won't my mommy be so proud of me, (Wipe hands off on shirt) I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee, Now my mommy won't be mad at me! (Hold hands up to show they are clean) I'm bringing home a baby dandelion, Won't my mommy be so proud of me, (Cup hands together as if holding flower) www.dltk-teach.com Here are some of our favorite products with Dice: Even Steven's Odd! In this fast paced dice game everyone races to roll their 6 dice until they get the numbers that complete the challenge on the card. For 2-4 players, and 2 levels of challenge cards Multi-Matrix Game: So this isn't really a dice game, but it uses dice! Actually 25 colored patterned dice & 25 white number dice. That can be a lot of scooping to clean up or to re-arrange pieces. The game itself is actually a series of visual-motor tasks that can be as simple as matching, 1 to 1 correspondence to much more complicated tasks such as copying a from a distance, scanning, sequencing, organization and more. Comes with video tutorials. This Week's Specials are....  HERE! Preferences  |  Unsubscribe

Another Therapist Designed Product

In-hand Manipulation Kit:

Therapist designed box of finger fun! Includes tasks to work on small muscle control of the fingers. Materials include a custom-made adjustable butterfly device, a pencil-like magnetic device, small container, chips, wooden balls, shoelace & instructions for completing unusual and motivating challenges for the hand and fingers from the finger muscles needed for writing.

More info here

Thumbs Up- our favorite ways to play:

 Basic Play:

•  Everyone randomly places a different colored ring on each finger of 1 hand EXCEPT the thumb.
•  A design card is turned over revealing the order of colors.
• Then the fun begins on the count of 3!   1, 2, 3. Go!
• Players race to transfer the rings to their thumb using in-hand manipulation only.
• No help from the other hand - elbow on tabletop as needed to force isolated in-hand skills be used.

Easy Play:

1. Begin with no rings on. Players look at the card and race to put rings on their thumb.
2. Each player gets their own design card to complete. No racing involved.

Advanced Play:

1. Everyone randomly places a different colored ring on each finger of 1 hand INCLUDING the thumb. So when start is called, players must transfer the ring off the thumb if it is not the correct starting color.
2. Everyone randomly places 2 different colored rings on each finger of 1 hand EXCEPT the thumb. (Colors will be repeated.) This will require more planning because rings will need to be moved around in addition to transferring them to the thumb.

Buy now Link:

Bottle caps & pompoms project, FLYING HAPPY FACE!

Web Version  |  Update preferences  |  Unsubscribe Like Tweet Forward Pocket Full of Therapy As they say..."Don't delay or they won't be on Santa's Sleigh!  (Most with limited quantities) Pop'Emz: Pop, stick, design and decorate, then do it all over again with these re-usable mini-hexagon shaped Suction pieces! They stick on any non-porous surface, such as windows, file cabinets, mirrors, even therapy balls. The small stem requires use of that fine pinch we always strive for. Magical Flying Happy Face: These are so cool, you may need one for yourself.... To begin, charge the flyer on your computer or other USB outlet. When ready, turn it on and watch it take off. Carefully watch it, then as it descends - don't touch it, just put an opened hand under it and watch it elevate again. AMAZING!  Click here for more info and a video MLP- Mechanical Square lead pencil: Unique in design, the flat elliptical shape of this Mechanical Pencil prevents rolling, while the 0.9mm square lead is stronger than typical lead pencils so it discourages breaking, allows for darker marking and slightly heavier pressure. Pencil comes with lead in it and a 6 pack of 0.9mm square lead refills. 101 Uses for Pompoms... Pompoms are a natural attraction to children. They are bright, soft, fuzzy, a great size and just scream "touch me"!  They come in various sizes and colors and are so versatile.  Simple Activities: Sort by color or size Fill numbered cups (2 pompoms in the cup marked 2) Glue to outline letters, numbers, shapes, pictures. Use with tools for hand strengthening (tweezers, clothespins, tongs, etc) Use as a simple grasp and place in a container activity to address crossing midline, work on rotation, or core strengthening, etc In hand manuipaltion or Squirreling- how many can you fit in the palm of one hand. Then using only that hand, bring one to fingertips and place in a bottle. Tape baggies at the bottom of each tube for a color race. Then sort using a variety of tools. Great for pairs or work centers.  Painters tape holds contact paper with sticky side in so pompoms stick or make a fuzzy picture. Bottle Top Wall Art and Playboard: Art project: Gluing bottle tops and bottle caps to make abstract art pieces is a creative recycling project that's easy to implement. It can be a class or school project that everyone participates in. It can be as large or small as you need. (Although real supports will be needed to hold the weight if large) Bottle Top Bulletin Board: How about a bottle top bulletin board that can be actively used by students?  Glue the flat surface of the tops to a sheet of poster board attached to the bulletin board. This leaves the cap openings available to be filled. Try squirreling pompoms or beads, then bringing one to fingertips and use the subtle movements of the fingers (shift) to place them in the cap. This small movement is difficult to work on (similar to feeding a string through a straw), but addresses the muscle control used in handwriting. Fun Gifts Ideas! Mini Glitter pompoms: 72 of the smallest, cutest pom poms you ever did see!. (Tweezers sold seperately) You're receiving this because you subscribed or placed an order with Pocket Full of Therapy. We will NEVER share or sell your info. Edit your subscription | Unsubscribe Contact Us: (800) PFOT-124 (732) 462-4474 *An OT is always available to answer questions or assist in selecting the right item!

Got only a minute? 8 quick fine motor activities

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8 Quick Fine Motor Activities that take only a few minutes to do. Got only a minute or 2 ?  Quick Go-to Fine Motor Activities Sometimes the timing is just off... maybe the student sped through all planned tasks or they didn't take as long as you thought. You still have a few minutes left, hmmm...  What won't take too long or require much equipment? Try these "good ole stand-by's" ! Thumb Wars:  Lock fingers as shown. Elbows must stay on table at all times Try to pin your opponents thumb down on you fingers for a 5 count, using only your thumb. Best out of 3 wins - this time! Mini Simon: A pint size version of the classic game. Try to repeat the ever-increasing sequences of lights & sounds. Fast-paced, challenging fun! Mindo Robot: A single player thinking game. Jungle Animal Rescue: Take any fun small object (animal, car or truck) preferably irregular shaped Wrap rubber bands or jungle vines around it in a haphazard way.  Rescue!  Take turns being the wrapper and rescuer. Pencil Manipulations: Practice those finger movements that make pencil use easier. Hold pencil like you,re going to write. Begin at eraser & walk fingers from to point & back.  Rotate pencil so lettering disappears then re-appears. Repeat 5 x's Combine movements to go from writing position to erasing. 5 x's without dropping or touching desktop. Rubber Band Magic Trick A Classic Favorite !  A rubberband is placed around the 1st 2 fingers, then when you open your hand, the band "magically jumps" to the 3rd & 4th fingers! Behind the scenes: After the band is in place, sneak the rest of your fingertips under the band in the palm of your hand. Open & it jumps! Slip Knot Tying Chain This feels like magic when you pull it loose again! Use any string, yarn, rope, shoelace, etc Make a small circle at the end of string as if going to tie a knot, but instead of bring the end through, bring a loop through. Tighten both strings hanging down. That's a slip knot. To make a chain- go through the loop you just made-pull another loop through. Tighten. Repeat. To remove knots- just pull the ends of both strings. Whala! "> Cats Cradle:  Use string, shoelace, yarn, etc about 54" long. (using 2 strings, let's you model movements for setup) Pinch the X's by grasping in the space above & below the X. Movements usually are: Pinch, pull up, out to sides, down & under, then up through. Here's video of how to do it solo and also with a partner.  (I know-  Solo?  Never heard of it- leave it to youtube!) It's Veteran's Day -  Thanks to All Who Serve Preferences  |  Unsubscribe