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Children learn through play. As an occupational therapist who works with children and youth, I use games and toys almost every day to help develop important cognitive, visual perceptual, motor, sensory, social, play and leisure skills. While many different types of activities can be used in therapy, this blog focuses on off-the-shelf games and toys that are accessible to most. Whether you are a therapist, parent, teacher, or a game lover like me, I hope you discover something useful while you are here. Learn a different way to play a game you already own or discover a new game for your next family game night. Either way, just go play. It's good for you!

The OT Magazine named The Playful Otter one of the Top 5 Pediatric OT Blogs.


Jul 27, 2016

Finger Printing Bugs Art Set


Finger Painting Bugs Art Set


I love this small set for making whimsical fingerprint bugs. Touch a fingertip to one of the colored ink stampers. Press your finger on a piece of paper. Then use the stampers to add details, like wings and eyes, to your fingerprint. Viola, you have a bug.
 
The ink pads are 1.25" X 1.25" - just the right size for a single fingerprint - and are red, green, and blue. The stampers included are eyes, antennae, wings, shell, leaf, and a small head.
 
This is an activity that I use with kids who write large or don't have the distal control to make rounded letters. I use this set in several ways. I make the bugs illustrated on the included card (see above), I skip the stampers and draw the details instead, I use Ed Emberley's Fingerprint Thumbprint Drawing Book. This is a cool book for drawing small.

If you would like to read more about games that require writing or drawing in some form, check out my post Games That Require a Writing Tool.  

Try this:
  • Choose a bug to draw and you and the individual each make the fingerprint. Draw one line at a time and let the individual copy you on his bug after each line.
  • Stress drawing small lines and circles with control.
  • Color in small dots or eyes with small circular movements.
  • Use different fingertips for different sizes and shapes.
  • Use spatial terms such as draw the right eye, draw the left antennae, print a leaf below the bug, etc.
  • Work on precise fine motor control, distal finger control, finger isolation, efficient grasp, drawing small and controlled, spatial relations, visual closure, eye-hand coordination, creativity
In the tin: 3 small ink pads, 10 colored pencils, 10 small stampers
Ages 4+
 
If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below.

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