Would you like your child to practice writing letters and numbers?

Here is a fun and motivating way. Try fingerpainting in pudding!

Make an instant pudding. Chocolate works well because the children can see their writing well on white paper plates.

Spread a small amount of pudding on a paper plate evenly.

Have your child practice writing.  After each number/letter  they may lick their finger!

Erase by smoothing out the surface gently so there is a thin layer of pudding.

Tip:  Only let them write with one finger- index finger works well.

Ideas For Developing Fine Motor Coordination

-Play with legos and small toys.

-Use Wikki Stix to form shapes, letters, numbers etc.

-String beads onto a shoelace

-Tie shoelaces

-Button, zip, or hook clothes while wearing them.

-Roll a pencil between thumb and fingers without dropping it.

-Put keys into locks to open door.

-Use clothespins. Put them on the edge of a box, container or a line.

-Play with play dough. Use words like poke, squeeze, pound, press, knead.

-Put small objects into play dough and have your child pull them out.

-Move spoonfuls of small objects from one bowl to another.

-Pick up objects such as blocks, cotton balls, crumpled balls of paper, etc.with tongs, tweezers, or even clothespins.

Working with play dough is an excellent way to develop fine motor skills. Here are a couple of my favorite recipes:

The Best Play Dough"

This Play dough has great consistency, and also lasts well.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

2 cups of water

1 tablespoon oil

Food coloring

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan.

Cook over medium heat, stirring until

stiff. Allow to cool, then knead.

Store in a zip lock baggie.

Kool Aid Play Dough

(This play dough has a great scent!)

Ingredients:

3 Cups Flour

1/2 Cup Salt

3 Pkgs. Unsweetened Kool Aid

3 Tbsp. Salad Oil

2 Cups Water

Directions:

Mix together Flour, Salt, and Kool Aid.

Add Oil, then gradually add Water to desired consistency.

You may not need to use the full 2 cups. Knead for 10 minutes.

Store in an air tight container.