Finger strength can aid small children in gaining independence, from getting on their own shoes to opening their own water bottles. As children grow older, they can apply their finger strength to performing sports and music, writing, and creating artwork. Increased strength and dexterity can also help children with fine-motor skills such as using locks and keys, scissors and other tools and developing handwriting.
Pound, Crumple, Spray
Try finger-intensive arts and crafts projects, suggests education.com. Children can manipulate dough or clay into balls or snakes of varying sizes. Alternatively, have children try to crumple old newspapers in one hand, which they can use to stuff sock puppets. Use clothespins to pick up art materials such as beads, buttons, and cotton balls. Lastly, draw with washable markers then spray them with a mister to build finger strength and create unusual images.
Clay Writing
Develop finger strength by practicing writing, suggests scholastic.com. Help children to roll out flat clay tablets, then let them scribble on the surface of the clay with their fingers or with a pencil. The surface of the clay requires force to imprint but also accepts fine details, offering a three-dimensional view on gross and fine motor skills. Children can use a clay knife or scissors to cut their drawings into shapes for further exercise.
Pinch, Zip, Cut
Initiate activities that are small-scale and easily repeated, suggests occupational therapist Sally Mackenzie, who has worked with preschool children for over a decade. Choose activities that offer validating noises or reactions, such as bubble wrap, wind-up toys or paper punches. For quieter pursuits, place small toys into zippered plastic bags and have children unzip, empty, and refill the bags. Children who can already use scissors can develop greater finger strength by cutting cardboard.
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