Stationery and Classroom Aids to Support Fine Motor Development

Supporting children in the development of fine motor skills is essential for success in the classroom. From handwriting to cutting and colouring, these everyday activities rely heavily on hand strength, dexterity, and coordination. Some students, however, struggle with motor control which can lead to fatigue and frustration, for example, writing for a long time with a tight hand grip can be very tiresome.  It’s important that we facilitate these students to make life a little easier and classroom activities more enjoyable. The good news is that the right tools and simple classroom routines can make a big difference. Great for student, teacher and parents.

Below are some ideas, products, and strategies to help children build stronger, more confident hands while making learning fun and accessible.

1. Warm-Up Activities for the Fingers

Just like athletes warm up before a game, children can benefit from preparing their fingers before handwriting, colouring, or cutting.

• Roll Tong Squeeze Toy: A fun way to engage the muscles in the fingers and hands. Children can squeeze and release to activate the small hand muscles, helping prevent fatigue later. In addition to the Roll Tongue Animal, a Squeeze Ball is also another great option for a complete hand warm up.
  
  
• Theraputty or Playdough: Rolling, pinching, and squashing Theraputty is excellent for building hand strength and coordination. Usually very popular among students, so you should have no trouble getting them to participate. 

2. Choosing the Right Writing Tools

The right tools are important to encourage correct pencil grip and reduce the strain caused by gripping too tightly.

• PenAgain Twist-N-Write Pencil: Designed to naturally guide the hand into a tripod grip (the method taught in schools), making it easier and more comfortable for children learning to write. Learn more about the Twist-N-Write-Pencil here.
• Jumbo Pencils: Thicker pencils provide more surface area to hold, reducing pressure and fatigue for children with weak grips.
• Flip Crayons: Short, dual-colour crayons that encourage proper finger positioning. Because they are small, they prevent children from using a fist grip and promote finger dexterity.
• Pencil Grips: Soft silicone grips can be slipped onto traditional pencils to encourage correct finger placement with a cushion effect, very simple, low cost and extremely effective.

3. Scissors That Make Cutting Easier

Cutting is a great fine motor skill activity, but standard scissors can be challenging for some. Thinking toys are aware of the limitations standard scissors presents. We purposely stock a wide range of Scissors to meet the various challenges that can present when cutting. This helps take the frustration out on an activity that other children appear to execute with ease. It’s all about choosing the right scissor for the student and giving them more control and autonomy completing tasks. Here are just a few examples of the different types:

• Spring-Action Scissors: These open automatically after each cut, requiring less effort from the child.
• Loop Scissors: Easy to squeeze and release, ideal for children with limited strength or coordination.
• Adapted Scissors: Options with additional finger holes or handles make it easier for teachers to provide hand-over-hand support.

4. Movement Breaks to Re-Focus Energy

Fine motor skills don’t exist in isolation—they’re linked to overall body regulation. After energetic playtimes, children may need a grounding exercise to help them transition back into classroom learning.

• Chair Push-Ups: With hands on the sides of the chair, children push their body up slightly and hold for a moment before lowering back down. This builds upper body strength, calms heightened energy, and supports postural control needed for desk work.
• Wall Push-Ups: A classroom-friendly version that gets kids using their arms and shoulders to stabilise.
• Animal Walks: A quick bear walk or crab walk around the classroom can also help regulate energy and strengthen core muscles that support handwriting posture.

5. Extra Tips & Tricks for the Classroom

• Offer a Variety of Tools: Not every child will respond the same way. Having a selection of pencils, crayons, and scissors helps you find the best match for each learner.
• Short Bursts of Writing: For children who tire easily, break writing tasks into shorter sessions with finger stretches in between.
• Vertical Surfaces: Writing or colouring on easels, whiteboards, or even paper taped to the wall helps strengthen shoulder and wrist muscles.
• Incorporate Play: Tweezers, clothespins, and pegboards are fun ways to sneak in fine motor practice during playtime.

Final Thoughts

By combining the right stationery with practical motor skill exercises, children can gain the confidence and stamina they need to succeed in class it also promotes a sense of accomplishment and autonomy. The tools mentioned above provide essential support, while warm-ups and grounding activities like chair push-ups ensure kids are physically and mentally ready for learning.