Pencil Warm Ups! Build Fine Motor Skills for Dynamic Pencil Control.

No prep.
Quick.
Easy.
Any service delivery method.
Groups or indviduals.

There are many reasons to love "pencil warm ups"!

Just grab a pencil or a crayon.  These "pencil warms ups" have been collated for school-age children to encourage dynamic finger movements of the thumb, index and third fingers.  We want to build these fingers with strength and dexterity to manipulate a pencil for writing.  

Before your child will successfully do these "warm ups" they will require a certain amount of stability in their shoulder, elbow and wrist.  You will find that the children who don't have this stability are using their whole arms to move the pencil.  They may have three fingers holding (grasping) the pencil, but they use their whole hand as one unit to move in a static way. This is developmentally appropriate for younger children (preschool age).  Children who are moving their whole arm or their hand/wrist will try to "cheat" with these warm ups. They will hold the pencil firmly whilst moving at their wrist or elbow. That's ok! Give them time and work up towards dynamic finger movements.  Find more fine motor skills activities here ---> FINE MOTOR SKILLS

"Pencil warm ups" are great for the classroom as the whole class can be doing these activities together. As an OT you might want to introduce these warm ups to individual children or use them for a group.  Use them via virtual therapy services or in person.  Parents can implement these warm ups easily at home and the whole family could get involved. 

Use the FREE printable as a reference or watch the you-tube video. The printable has a QR code and link back to the you-tube video. I have time-stamped each warm up in the comments section of you-tube for easy reference to each pencil warm up. 

FREE PRINTABLE: Pencil Warm Ups Printable!
YOU-TUBE: https://youtu.be/ua3x-KMlefI

Pencil Warm Ups Video QR CODE

Pencil warm ups are not new, however I hope that you have found some new ones with the ones that I have shared.  I have included more emphasis on thumb movements as I see many children who have difficulties with thumb flexion, extension and opposition.  Sometimes children I see demonstrate dynamic finger movements, however hold their thumb locked into place for stability. 
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Let me know if you are using these pencil warm ups! Are there some new ones that you haven't tried before?  Have you got a great pencil warm up that you use? 

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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 blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

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 recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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