dfinemotor

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FINE MOTOR: ACTIVITIES/CUTTING PRACTICE STAGE: CUTTING STRIPS

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Art Learning Center Activity: December Bulletin Board Border:

For December's bulletin board, give the children pieces of red, green, and white construction paper and simply have them cut strips from the 8 1/2" sides. Then, show them how to make the old-fashioned loop chains alternating red, green, and white strips of paper. This is such a good fine motor and math (patterning) activity. In addition to paste, some years I put out a couple of small staplers for the class to use in putting the strip ends together, but of course, everyone wants to use the staplers, so try to make sure everyone gets a turn. Border the bulletin board with their chains. Most children love this project, so make it available in the art center for the entire month.

Here's a great Christmas-related idea for inside the above bulletin board border, from my good friend Debbie Reynolds:

Fine Motor: Stockings: Trace a BIG stocking on red paper and cut it out. Put glue on the top 2-3 inches. Have the children tear cotton into wisps and place it on the glue to look like fur. The children then look through magazines/newspaper ads for things they would like to give someone as a present. The person cannot be a peer or age related friend. They must think ahead and give some thought to the person and what they would like/need (you may be surprised at what they come up with). Have them cut/tear out their pictures (provide assistance if needed) and glue them onto the stocking. Ask each child who the present is for and print that name on a 3x5 index card that's been cut in half. Display the cards next to the stocking on the bulletin board.

Other Fine Motor Options:

*Another activity that's "December related" is to have children move their fingers to show how a star might twinkle. Try it yourself right now and see what exercise it gives your fingers :-) You could turn it into a game. For example, tell the children, "Every time you hear me say 'star' today, twinkle your fingers!"

*Place a small thin pile of rice in a box lid. Then have children try to gather some between their thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger. They can drop what they've gathered into a bowl.

From Debbie Reynolds:
Twisting Candy Canes: See if children can twist red and white pipecleaners together, then bend one end down to form a hook shape. Children may need assistance the first time, but you could then leave out red and white pipecleaners for them to "twist" throughout your Christmas unit.

From Deb:
A good idea for cutting strips is to use old wallpaper book samples and select paper that has "stripes" in it. The thick wallpaper provides stiffness and gives some stability in cutting for small hands.
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