Tactile Board for Fine Motor Skills Improvement: Nuts and Bolts Exercise
In a workshop filled with the hum of tools and the scent of fresh wood, a unique activity board has become a favourite for one curious child. The activity board, designed by the Fine Motor Fridays team, is a creative and educational tool that helps children develop fine motor skills while feeling like they're helping their parents in the workshop.
The activity board, made using a spare piece of wood from the workshop and a hot glue gun, consists of nuts and bolts of different sizes. The super long nuts, in particular, have captured the child's attention, requiring a lot of turning to reach the bottom of the bolts.
At first, the child found it fun to choose the wrong nut for the bolt. However, as he became more familiar with the activity, he started working on one of the bolts, eventually completing the activity board in good time. This activity provided the child with a sense of helping his father in the workshop, making the experience even more enjoyable.
The activity board has been instrumental in helping the child improve his fine motor skills. The screwing and unscrewing tasks involved in the activity have helped develop his hand strength, dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and focus.
For those looking to create similar activities at home, the Fine Motor Fridays team offers new projects and activities for further exploration. Two specific projects suggested are "Scarf Weaving" from And Next Comes L and "Rainbow Mirror Art" from Powerful Mothering.
These DIY ideas can include using large or giant plastic nuts and bolts for safer beginner practice, incorporating color and shape matching to make the activity educational and engaging. For younger kids, oversized or plastic nuts and bolts (around 2½ inches) are recommended, as they are easier and safer to handle but still require the twisting motion for skill building. Always supervise small parts to ensure safety.
These activities are enjoyable, educational, and excellent for building the foundational fine motor skills necessary for writing, self-care, and tool use later on. So, why not give it a try and watch your child blossom while having fun?
In this new routines, the child can explore the world of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise by incorporating science into his DIY activity board. As he continues to practice screwing and unscrewing the plastic nuts and bolts, he will not only enhance his fine motor skills but also foster a strong foundation for future academic and physical endeavors, such as learning to write or using tools effectively.
