Handwriting Warm Up. Black & White Version. Copyright 2014 Tools to Grow, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transcription

1 Tools to Grow at Home Handwriting Warm Up Cards Black & White Version All rights reserved. Border Image by Krista Wallden

2 Tools to Grow at Home Handwriting Warm Ups Dear Parents and Caregivers, Handwriting is an essential skill for children. Even with the use of computers, handwriting remains the main tool for recording information in most classrooms. As early as kindergarten, children spend nearly one-half of their fine motor time on paper and pencil activities during the school day. Children that can write in a spontaneous, legible and timely manner have an academic advantage. Well developed handwriting requires proper body posture, a stable torso, intact vision to guide hand movements, controlled use of the small muscles in the hand, hand strength and overall endurance. Children may struggle with handwriting due to deficits in one of these areas, or perhaps another reason. To promote optimal handwriting development, your child s Occupational Therapist has determined that he or she would benefit from routine participation in simple hand movements and exercises known as HANDWRITING WARM UPS. This guide is to be used as an at home tool when completing hand writing practice or other hand written homework. The HANDWRITING WARM UPS guide provides illustrations that were designed to be easily copied by your child. The movements and exercises can be used at the beginning (to warm up), throughout (stay focused), and at the end of a writing session (relax). Your child s Occupational Therapist may have included special instructions. Enjoy helping your child grow! SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: All rights reserved.

3 Materials Needed: Instructions to Print: Handwriting Warm Up Purpose: These cards visually depict handwriting warm up s that can be easily copied by a child. Home Use: Cards Small stress ball Warm up Cards 1. Print out Handwriting Warm Up cards. 2. Laminate or print on heavy cardstock. 1. Explain education handout with parent/caregiver. 2. Teach/Review each Handwriting Warm Up. 3. Based upon the needs of the child, select and customize the most appropriate Warm Up card(s). 4. Each card can be placed on the table, on a ring, or flip chart to allow for a visual of strategies. 5. These Warm Up cards can be utilized in a variety of home, and community based settings. All rights reserved. Border Image by Krista Wallden

4 Snap your fingers 5 x each hand. Push your finger tips together then relax. Squeeze a stress ball 5 times. Repeat times each hand. Touch each fingertip with your thumb on both hands.

5 Gently place both hands on top of your head and push down. Cross your arms over your chest and give yourself a hug. Stretch your hands out to the side and move them over your head. Place your hands on your chair seat and push up your bottom.

6 Face and place your arms straight on the wall. Lean towards wall, bending elbows. Push your body back to standing position. Gently push down on your thighs with your palms. Walk your fingers up and down your pencil. Twirl your pencil around your fingers like a Ferris wheel.