Fine Motor Skills with a Marble (or ball)!

A marble, a small ball, a ball of playdough, a pom pom .... using every day items is important right now for occupational therapists as we work in our telehealth sessions using objects families may already have at home. 

These activities using a marble are simple, fun ways to develop a child's fine motor skills.  As occupational therapists we often address fine motor skills when children have difficulty manipulating tools such as pencils, scissors and glue sticks.  Fine motor skills can affect a child's ability to carry out their self care in using a toothbrush, using cutlery, tying shoes laces or manipulating fastenings such as buttons and zippers. 

The main fine motor areas that an occupational therapist may address include:

• Pincer grasp - This is the neat "pinch" achieved between the thumb and index finger.  Read more about this HERE.
• Thumb opposition - This refers to the ability of the thumb to rotate and reach to touch all other fingertips of the same hand. 
• Palmar arches - This refers to the arch formed when we "cup" our hands and is related to the loops of blood vessels which are found in our hands. 
• Separation of the two sides of the hand - This the use of the thumb, index and third fingers of the hand whilst maintaining stability in the fourth and fifth fingers of the hand. Read more about this HERE.
• Wrist stability and extension - This is the position of the wrist so that it is resting on the table and slightly extended so that the fingers can be used to control the pencil. This is one of the reasons as occupational therapists, we love to encourage working on a vertical surface or use of a slope board if necessary.
• Hand strength - This refers to the contraction of the hand muscles to grasp a pencil to control it without fatigue or pain.  Read more about hand strength HERE.
• In-hand manipulation - This refers to the ability to move items around in the hand using precise finger movements and includes translation, rotation and shift.

Using a marble:

• ​​Cup your hand over a table, rest your wrist and keep a ball from escaping.
• Play finger soccer (read more HERE).
• Place a line of washi tape on the table and trace the line with a marble.
• Place a line of washi tape on the table, Place down small obstacles and weave the marble around the obstacles.
• Use a marble to outline LETTER Roads (read more HERE).
• Hold the marble with the thumb, index and third fingers. Extend and flex the fingers pretending a duck is eating a lemon. 
• Place the marble in the palm of your hand and your whole hand facing the ceiling. Touch the marble with each finger. 
• Place the marble in the palm of your hand and your whole hand facing the ceiling.  Move the marble with the thumb along each finger.
• Cup a handful of marbles between both hands and  shake without letting any fall out.
• Use a handful of marbles and place them one at a time into a muffin tin. Pick them up one at a time without dropping any in the palm of your hand.  Encouragement movement of the marble from the palm to the thumb/index finger and vice versa. ​

The best way to see these suggestions is via the You-tube video
​---> https://youtu.be/be5jLMvXzYk

These suggestions can easily be incorporated in OT sessions face to face and via Telehealth.  They are an easy way to incorporate finger warm ups prior to writing.  You could even try using an eraser (perfect for the classroom - when you return).

I also love marble runs and marble mazes!  Let me know other fun ways you use marbles to help with the development of fine motor skills.

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy website and blog  Your Kids OT and Sensory Diet Activity Guidebook (ebook).  

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote products I love and recommend. I receive a commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

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