Pincer Grasp Activities for Fine Motor Development

Your son is using all of his fingers to rake small items into his palm rather than pinching them together with his thumb and index finger.

Your daughter is choking her crayons rather than carefully holding them between her fingers.

Maybe your kids need some help strengthening their pincher grasp

The development of this fined tuned grasp is influenced by a child’s growing interest in objects and desire to hold them.  Kind of curiosity’s way of helping our kids.

We all need great pincher grasps to:

• zip zippers
• button buttons
• tie shoes
• thread needles
• write beautifully
• hold pencils without cramping
• beating someone at tidily-winks
• putting on make-up
• painting nails
• and so much more!

8 Hands-on Toys to Help Kids Develop Pincher Muscles

Sewing Buttons!!

Life Skills: Sewing a button kit

Related: Fine Motor Activity from Hands On As We Grow

More Pincher Grasp Activities!

Simple Activities to Improve Pincher Grasp and Help Your child Hold a Pencil

• Peel Duct Tape: Place strips of duct tape onto surfaces like the sidewalk, garage walls, or the floor. Your child simply peels the tape!
• Squishy Sponge: Give your child a sponge and bucket of water. Have them water plants by squeezing the water out from the sponge!
• Tongs and tweezers: Give your child a pair of tongs, and egg carton, and a bin of small things (pom poms, beads, pasta, etc). Have them fish out objects with tweezers and sort them into the egg carton.

Adorable Bee Hive Game

Classic Games are the perfect way to sneak in Pincher Grasp Development

Don’t Spill the Beans

Ants in the Pants

Kerplunk

Jenga

Hi-Ho Cherrio

Perfection

Medical schools are noticing a decline in students’ dexterity, possibly from spending time swiping screens rather than developing fine motor skills through woodworking and sewing.

The New York Times

The great news is Pincher Grasp Development is easy to weave into your child’s day. A Little less swiping of screens and a little more of old fashion fun and these intricate hand muscles can get a good work out!

For Older Kids

Crocheting and knitting

Embroidery

Tin Foil Art

Using a sock to improve pencil grip (Brilliant)

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Speaking of Handwriting

This set combines fine-motor skills and letter formation!!

Print this free homeschool mom reminder.

This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it!

Here is a sneak preview…

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1. Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!
2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
3. Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.