Pokey Dot Fine Motor Activities

by Jan McCleskey | Sep 10, 2020 | Fine Motor Activities, Fine Motor Ideas, Pencil/Coloring Skills | 0 comments

What is my absolute favorite fine motor activity? Pokey Dots!

We put a TIP grip on a corn cob holder (one prong cut off) and poke away! This works so well on promoting a tripod grasp. It also works on strengthening the flexor pollicus longus muscle. What is that?! It is the muscle that bends the last joint of the thumb. This is important in order to get a dynamic versus a static grasp! In a dynamic grasp, the thumb bends and straightens to dynamically move and control the pencil.

Here is a picture of a corn cob holder with a “TIP grip” (see blog for description – it is The Pencil grip cut in half and flipped upside down on a pencil. It maintains the last joint of the thumb in flexion. You can purchase The Pencil Grip from the Pencil Grip company. It comes in regular or Jumbo size.

UntitledImage Look at the eye hand coordination it takes to move the corn cob holder to the small dots. Then the student maintains a secure tripod grasp to poke. Lots of pokes equal lots of opportunities to strengthen little hands while having fun! The student is punching the clip art over a foam celled welcome mat (cut up into smaller squares). You could use styrofoam or thick craft foam for the mat too.

Here are links to several poke dot files! Some files poke the alphabet a – z, or numbers. Some files poke around pictures of animals, objects or sightwords. ALL are fun! I have about 25 more pokey or punch dot files in The Fine Motor Store on TPT!

UntitledImage https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/sale-Pokey-Pin-Push-Pin-Fine-Motor-Skills-for-Fall-4829475