Developing Grip Strength and Finger Isolation - Pre-School ChildrenWriting is a complex skill that relies on many foundational abilities such as visual perceptual skills, visual motor integration skills, cognitive skills, finger dexterity, shoulder stability and core stability, to name a few. The following Handwriting Help Sheets are provided to help give schools ideas on how to develop these foundation skills in children who may be struggling with their writing.
What programmes are helpful to support handwriting?
Many schools use the Dough Disco videos from Shonette Bason to help children gain the movements necessary for writing. You can find these on YouTube.
Before you begin a writing programme, please consider whether the child is developmentally ready to write. If the child's development is behind that expected for their age, introducing writing too soon can lead to abnormal and inefficient pencil grip habits that can cause difficulties later. Instead, offer a multi-sensory approach to learning shapes and letter forms (eg tracing patterns with fingers in sand, dough, shaving foam etc rather than pencil practice.)
For children who are ready to write, these programmes are often helpful starting points:
The Write from the Start Programme (Ion Teodorescu)
Helps a child develop the fine motor and perceptual aspects of writing. Comes in three photocopiable books of increasing difficulty. £20 to £30 for the three books
Speed Up Programme (Lois Addy)
Uses movement activities to develop fluent hand control and wrist movements (such as scrunching bandages). For ages 8 and above. Approximately £11
Write Dance
Comes in an early years version (3 to 5 years) and original version (6 years and older). Uses a series of music tracks and themed dance moves to teach the foundational movements children need write. £31 including digital music and video download.
Printing like a Pro
Designed for children who are not ready for cursive writing. A graded programme that uses rehearsal of verbal strategies to learn the letter forms (eg down, dot for the letter i). Good for older children with strong verbal ability and cognition, but poor motor skills. Download from Child Development & Rehabilitation - Classroom Resources.
‘Wheel of Apps’
Information technology can support pupils who continue to struggle with aspects of school work as a result of Dyslexia, reading or writing difficulties. The ‘wheel of apps’ has categorised apps that can support pupils with these challenges. Download from CALL (Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning) Scotland
For children with movement difficulties up to the end of Year 6, the Children's Occupational Therapy Service requires that schools deliver a motor programme before referring to our service.
These programmes are not intended for children with a physical disability, nor a diagnosed condition. They are recommended only for children whose movement skills are behind the rest of their development.
Free Motor Programmes
Cool Kids Motor Programme (provided by the OT service)
- Two programmes available: 'Primary' and 'Nursery & Reception'
- Easy to deliver by school staff with simple equipment readily available in schools
- Supports schools to work at targeted level in line with the graduated response
- Gives pupils the opportunity to develop motor skills before seeking specialist NHS referral
Free of charge by email for SENCos who request it from childrensOT@mpft.nhs.uk
Solent NHS Trust Programmes
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust Fine Motor Programme
Manchester Motor Skills Programme (MMSP)
- Available free from childrensOT@mpft.nhs.uk
Fizzy (gross motor) and Clever Hands (fine motor) programmes
North Yorkshire Council Motor Skills Programme
- Supporting Children and Young People with Co-ordination Difficulties (pdf) - North Yorkshire City Council
- Go to page 160 (appendix 3) where the programme begins
Paid for Programmes
There is a vast range of paid for Motor Programmes available to purchase online. Some of the common ones are listed here.
| Title | Description | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Helping Children to Improve Their Gross Motor Skills: The Stepping Stones Curriculum by Rachel White | A4 manual with downloadable PDFs which enable programme delivery and progress to be recorded. Comes with baseline assessment | £25 |
| Jungle Journey | A4 Paperback booklet. A whole-class Programme. Fine and Gross motor | £25 |
| Sensory Circuits | Comes from a sensory approach. Warm ups, skills and cool down format | £10 |
| Smart Moves | Manual with CDROM. Screening tool, Activity Pack | £90 |
| BEAM (Balance, Education And Movement) Programme | 6 week programme. Can replace PE sessions for reception class | £75 |
| Take Ten Fit to Succeed | DVD, three books and teacher’s guide | £49 |
| Motor Skills United | Activity cards, colour-coded by skill area | £60 |
| Fit to Learn | Double DVD and CD training pack | £100 |
The Children's Occupational Therapy Service offers an Understanding DCD (dyspraxia) workshop for SENCO’s, Teachers, or Teaching Assistants working in Primary or Middle Schools based in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. This takes place at a venue in Stoke-on-Trent. It supports the graduated response to children with movement difficulties.
The next course is being held on Friday 3rd May 2024, 9am - 12:30pm. There is no cost for this course.
To book your ticket, please click here (Please note places are limited to 3 bookings per school).
For further information, please contact childrensOT@mpft.nhs.uk
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) / dyspraxia
This workshop will help school staff to:
- Understand terminology and medical criteria for DCD
- Have a greater insight into the difficulties faced by children with DCD
- Support children with DCD within the classroom with personalised and differentiated approaches and tasks
- Be aware of resources that can be used within the classroom for those children who need more targeted support