In+hand+manipulation+skills

What they are: []

Handout: []

Activities to promote development:
 * Activities to Promote In-hand Manipulation Skills**

In-Hand Manipulation skills refers to the ability move and position objects within one hand without the assistance of the other hand. Examples include "squirreling" coins in the palm, twirling a pencil within the fingers and turning a coin from heads to tails. __ Pencil Games __ More about In-Hand Manipulation Skills In-hand manipulation    is the ability to move and position objects within the hand     without using the other hand. It is, perhaps, the    most complex fine motor skill. Three types of skills    have been identified as being     important co     mponent     s of in-hand manipulation. These are translation, shift and rotation. Translation    is the movement of objects between     the     palm and fingertips    , similar to     moving coins from the palm to the fingertips to place them     into a vending machine slot. Shift involves moving objects between the    fingers. An example is "walking" the fingers along the shaft    of a pencil, from eraser to pencil tip. Rotation is the turning of an
 * 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 Hungry Guy's mouth (see [|instructions] ) while palming several items in your 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
 * Hold the pencil in the fingertips, ready for writing, then "walk" the fingers to the eraser end of the pencil, then back to the tip
 * Turn the pencil between the thumb and fingertips: try turning it like a windmill in one direction, then the other
 * Practice flipping the pencil from eraser end to tip end
 * Use a hand held pencil sharpener to sharpen your pencils

object around using the pads of the fingers, such as flipping a    pencil around so it's point end is where the eraser end was. All of    these components are needed to get the object oriented so it's     just right for using, viewing or grasping. 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.