Why is this important?

Children who have difficulty with in-hand manipulation may need to use both hands for
activities that would typically require only one.  Or they may need to unnecessarily stabilize
an object against their body or an external support to get the job done.  They may appear
clumsy when handling objects or be slow to complete projects.  Many daily activities require
this high level hand skill.  Examples include positioning a pencil when writing and drawing,
adjusting grip on paper when cutting with scissors, using a fork and knife.  Positioning
buttons, zippers, snaps and laces for dressing involve these subtle hand movements.
Operating tools, handling nuts and bolts, nails, turning a screwdriver– all involve in-hand
manipulation ability.

How to improve in-hand manipulation skills ?

• Pick up a small object with fingers (bead, coin, M&M candy, popcorn, etc. ) and “hide” it in your hand.  Then pick up another and another.
• Move one item from your palm to your fingertips and place it down on the table (or put it in your mouth if it’s food)
• Practice removing small objects from a change purse, baggie or container one at a time and hiding each within the palm.  Then placing
  them back, one at a time.
• Connect 4 game:  hold several chips at a time within the palm while placing chips in the slots
• Place coins in a Piggy Bank starting with several coins in the palm.
• Place items in slots (Bingo chips, coins, pegs) while holding several within the palm
• String beads holding 2 or 3 beads within the palm
• Pegboard games holding 2 or 3 pegs within the hand
• Twist open or closed lids on small bottles or toothpaste tube held within the palm of the hand
• Flip a coin from head to tail within the fingers of one hand
• Cut with scissors and practice adjusting the grip on the paper with the helping hand
• Practice buttoning, zipping and snapping snaps.
• Turn dice within the fingertips to see different sides.
• Hold a small cup filled with water.  Practice turning it with the fingertips without spilling
• Play with construction toys such as Duplos, Legos and K’nex
• Pop beads: large size for preschool, small (play jewelry type) for older children
• connect linking chains
• Place clothespins around an index card or paper plate: encourage using only one hand to position/reposition the card or plate
• craft activities that require using bottles to squeeze: glue, glitter glue, puffy paint, fabric paint, etc.
• Lacing boards, sewing cards