Learning Objectives

 

Young children's hand skills are generally on the decline resulting in fine motor delays and poor handwriting skills. Today's children are no longer readily exposed to activities and toys that develop the musculature, hand structure and precise movements of the hands needed for school success.

 

As a result, children are coming into the classroom with delayed fine motor control. Yet, curriculum demands continue to increase, thus  producing a widening gap between curriculum expectations and developmental readiness.

 

The Write Stuff Workshop provides the therapist, educator and parent with a thorough understanding of hand development and its role in the promotion of fine motor skills and handwriting.

Participants will learn specific therapeutic fine motor activities that are designed for the classroom and that also support curriculum goals. These activities facilitate an integrated therapy approach, thus following IDEA guidelines for service delivery.

Integral to implementing the activities presented in The Write Stuff Workshop is Susan Thompson's "Handy Learning Activities Book." Follow this link to learn about it.

 
   
Integral to implementing the activities presented in The Write Stuff Workshop is Susan Thompson's "Handy Learning Activities Book." Follow this link to learn about it.
   

Course Content

Who Should Attend

The Write Stuff
  • Key components of handwriting
  • The Pencil Grasp
  • Cutting skills as it relates to hand development
  • Effective teaching strategies
Write Stuff Activities
  • Proven fine motor activities to develop hand skill
  • Using fine motor activities teach the curriculum
  • Finding appropriate educational fine motor toys
  • Setting up the environment for effective therapy
  • Recognizing significant delays and problem solving through them
  • Developing strategies to accelerate hand development
In the Classroom
  • Become an Environmental Designer
  • Hands-on activities
  • Collaborating with the teacher and the curriculum
  • Scavenger Hunt (applied learning)
Hand Development
  • Terminology
  • Hand Anatomy
  • Stages of Hand Development
  • Postural Influences
  • Sequence of prehensile patterns
  • Sensory influences
  THERAPISTS:
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Physical Therapist
  • Physical Therapy Assistants
  • Speech Therapist
TEACHERS:
  • Preschool, Kindergarten
  • Pre-Kindergarten
  • First grade teachers
  • Special Education teachers
  • Private school teachers
ADMINISTRATORS:
  • Elementary
  • Special Education
  • Private School administrators
PARENTS
  • With children 2-7 years old