• Clothespins
Children can use this laminated PDF to learn letters, numbers, shapes, colors etc.. Using toothbrush, once they identify a letter on a bean “tooth”, they get to brush it off.
Keeping our teeth healthy is important to our overall health. The goal is to use identify letters/numbers/shapes and to practice using a toothbrush as a tool for cleaning.
• PDF of Letters printed on regular paper
• Mallet
• Golf Tees
• Foam Board
Use golf tees to poke holes on letters and knock them with a wooden mallet.
These tools strengthen the hands by using a mallet and tees that need to be knocked into a hard surface. Removing the tees while continuing to hold one after the other in the same hand, works on in-hand manipulation.
• Egg Carton (you can paint it any color)
• Colored pompoms
• Tongs
Work on number concepts and strengthening little fingers by picking up the correct number of pompoms to make scoops of ice cream!
This activity aims at improving overall hand strength while teaching counting skills and writing numbers.
• Scissors
• String
• Tape
• Clothespins with letters written on each clothespin
Children first cut out kites. They also write lower case letters on each of the clothespins. They then practice matching upper and lower case letters by clipping the lower case paper clip to the upper case letter on the kite.
This activity works on finger strength with clothespins and practices upper and lower case letter matching.
• Flowers Template PDF or flowers from dollar store
• Tape
• Popsicle sticks
• Mini elastics
• Sharpie or number stickers
• Pencil
Children count out the correct number of elastics to place around each flower stem according to the number written on each stem.
This is a great finger strengthening activity in combination with counting skills.
• PDF of Flamingos on card stock and laminate if possible
• Scissors
• Hole puncher
• Paper clips
Children place paper clips to make legs for the flamingos
This is activity requires children to use their fingers to attach paper clips to one another. This requires bilateral coordination skills and fine motor practice.
• Pink Clothespin
• Pink feather
• 1 wiggle eye
• Black scrap paper
• Glue
• Kids Hot glue
Children begin by crafting a flamingo then work on counting skills by clipping the clothespin to the correct answer
Children strengthen little fingers using a clothespin while practicing counting skills.
• Play dough
• Crayons
Children roll the dice and count how many little play dough balls they need to add in the trees for apples. When all the trees are covered with apples, color the little forest animals.
Children work on finger strength, counting skills and coloring in the lines.
• Make an elephant from the Feed the Elephant PDF
• Paper plate
• Tape and scissors to prepare the elephant
• Paper towel roll
• Peanuts
• Chopsticks
Feed the elephant peanuts using chopsticks. Count out the correct number of peanuts.
Children practice using chopsticks to help develop the grasp on writing tools. They also work on counting skills.
Bowl
Pipe cleaner or yarn
Tweezers
Bin or tray
Children use tweezers to pick up small items, pipe cleaner worms to feed the bird. By using tweezers children strengthen their neat pincer grasp and also practice their counting skills.
Tweezers strengthen neat pincer grasp as a precursor skill for correct finger placement for an efficient pencil grasp.
All activities are designed to be used to supplement treatment facilitated by a parent or trained professional. These resources are not a replacement for therapy and are not intended to treat disorders. They are for educational and exploration purposes only. Consult with a health care professional for treatment for developmental delays/challenges.
Beyond ASD is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness to a new way of experiencing Autism and it begins with awareness because Awareness Shifts the Definition!