Back to School Magic: Turning School Supply Shopping into a Fine Motor Adventure

If you’re a parent, there’s something almost magical about the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the smooth cover of a brand new notebook, and the cheerful colors of a fresh box of colors, especially the ninety-six box of Crayola crayons with all their exotic colors. For many of us, back-to-school shopping is steeped in nostalgia. The memories of standing in an aisle full of possibilities and choosing the just-right supplies for the year ahead.

Now, as parents of preschoolers, we get to pass on that same joy. But here’s the twist: what if the supplies you pick aren’t just fun and colorful, but also help your child’s little hands grow stronger and more coordinated? The supplies we source for Children’s Discovery Center is just as exciting but now more thoughtful as we are looking at how they support fine motor development. Now we will use supplies that Occupational Therapists have recommended to build fine motor skills in our classroom.

Occupational Therapist Approved School Supply Picks:

Developing fine motor skills is crucial for enhancing dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and beginning writing skills.

Pencils- choose short, thick pencils like golf pencils. Why? Shorter pencils promote a proper tripod grasp and prevent kids from “fisting” the pencil.

Crayons- continuing to use crayons when small or broken, as well as crayon rocks. Why’? Smaller crayons naturally encourage children to use their fingertips, which builds finger strength and control. Crayons also need more pressure to make a mark, so building hand strength, so we don’t love markers as they don’t build up hand strength.

Notebooks and paper- choose unlined paper for drawing or wide lines for early writing. Why? Drawing before writing helps develop the visual motor integration skills that later support handwriting.

Paintbrushes and tools- chunky paintbrushes or stampers. Why? These tools strengthen the whole hand and give variety to grip patterns. Bonus: Bingo daubers are also great for a different way to paint.

Scissors- choose child-size safety scissors with a spring assist for beginners. Why? Cutting works the hand muscles in a different way than writing and also builds bilateral coordination (using both hands together).

Glue- choosing squeeze bottles of glue over glue sticks. Why? Squeezing the bottle of 4oz glue strengthens the hand.

Bonus Fine Motor Helpers: Tweezers or tongs for sorting small objects,Play dough for pinching, rolling, and flattening, and Beads/laces for threading activities

CDC’s favorite playdough recipe to make: 5 cups flour, 2 cups salt, 2 cups water, and 3 tbsp olive oil. Can use white or let your little one add food coloring.