Occupational Therapy
Anderson District 5
WELCOME TO OUR
PARENTS' CORNER

As a parent, you play a valuable role in helping your child achieve his or her school-based OT goals. We depend on you to help your child master the skills that they are learning at school by practicing these skills at home. Please visit our Activity Ideas page for suggestions of fun ways to practice. In addition, your child's classroom teacher can help you get in touch with the occupational therapist for your child's school if you have specific questions or concerns.
Below, you will find fine motor worksheets that we have compiled from websites that we love, as well as some of our own creations. For more worksheets, visit the websites cited on the invidual worksheet pages. Also listed below are some of our favorite school tools for developing fine motor skills!
Pre-Writing Skills Worksheets
Scissor Skills Worksheets
Visual-Perceptual Worksheets
Check out these OT Approved Activities that help build school related skill.....
All disguised as Summer FUN!
Trace & Erase Sidewalk Chalk
Start by allowing your child to watch while you form a letter with sidewalk chalk. For an extra challenge, see if they can guess what letter you are forming before you finish. Next, have your child "erase" the letter, by tracing over the the chalk with a large paintbrush dipped in water. Then, before the water outline of the letter dries, allow your child to trace over it again with chalk!
Squirt Toys for Building Hand Strength
Smaller squirt toys are great for building finger strength, while larger squirt toys are great for engaging the whole hand, and building strength in larger hand and forearm muscles. Strengthening these muscles helps to prevent little hands from becoming tired during activities such as writing and cutting.
Get Messy!
Summer is a great time to be outdoors and to explore messy sensory play. The weather is warm and you can easily let your child rinse off with the hose afterwards! Click on the following links and Try activities like Ice Cube Painting, Sand Slime, or Spaghetti Art!
OT Approved Cool Tools for School

Crayola "My First Crayons"
Helps young children learn to form a mature pencil grasp. Available at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and other office supply stores
Maped Spring Action Scissors
Helps children learn to coordinate the opening/closing of scissors. Also great for children with weak grip strength. Can be found at Amazon.com and usually Walmart, Target and other office supply stores.
The Crossover Pencil Grip or the "Grotto" Pencil Grip
Helps students form the correct pencil grasp and helps prevent thumb wrap. Can be found at Amazon.com, the pencilgrip.com, or at most Staples stores.
