Day 8

Apps for fine motor skills Webinar

What a great Webinar. Working in the learning centre, I have lots of kids who need to develop their fine motor skills. I do have some apps that I used, and really anything using the iPad I felt helped with fine motor skills just by using their finger, but some of the apps that were viewed in the webinar were amazing! The access of OT services have been cut a tiny bit in the HRSB.... they gave us a binder to help with issues before they will come in to see us. So, having these apps and knowing what they do will be a huge help. I learned that by age 10 students already have their pencil grip established, whether its a good one or not and its hard to change after this. So... its important to start early... you can use the iPad for this and get a stylus (they come in lots of different forms) to help with pencil grip.

Here are some of my favorites!

1. Cars2 App Mates

This is so flipping cute! Most kids are obsessed with the Cars movie, so I think they would all love this app! Its free, you just need to purchase the little cars that go with it. I have been shown this app before at an Autism PD, but I never had the chance to see how it worked, we just saw a picture of it and were told a description. Seeing it in action was so neat. This is great for all kids, but especially those who are working on fine motor skills. It forces them to use pressure to hold the car in certain spots, if its not held with the right grip, the app won't work.

2. Touch and Write $2.99

This app is super fun and teaches children to write in really fun ways. When you are tracing a letter, you can choose what "comes out of" the stylus onto the letter (jello, icing, shaving cream, ketchup etc). It even makes the sounds that the particular choice makes for real. You can start with basic letters or you can add your own words lists so that children can learn words that are familiar to them. Perfect for kids who are learning there letters and need help writing. Its a great way to improve fine motor skills while having a great time. 

3. Bugs and Buttons $2.99

This app was really neat! It had so many different activities in it. It teaches counting, sorting, patterning and more. Most of the apps require kids to use their fingers to pinch to improve their fine motor skills. Its filled with bugs and gross stuff so kids of all ages will love it! 

I loved all of the apps and really recommend everyone check them out. Fine motor skills are so important to learning... kids need them to write, cut, paste, eat. When they can't do those things very well it can effect their self esteem.... but... there's an app for that. There are TONS of apps for that! So, check them out and try them with your students and help them improve their fine motor skills as well as their self esteem!

1.     Dexteria-  hand exercises, supports handwriting without tears principals, was shown this at the autism workshop.

3.     Juno’s Piano- finger isolation and control

5.     Shape Builder- pre writing skills and pencil grasp, requires pressure and control

6.     WritePad- reinforces activities in handwriting without tears, write on screen and seeit convert to text instantly, tries to autocorrect for you

7.     Injini- many levels in each activity… move the ball along the track

9.     Pirate Scribbeard treasure- animates what you draw

Lots learned... check them out!