Fine Motor and Printing Resources (OT)

This page outlines many resources that can help you address fine motor and printing challenges. This list is in developmental sequence, so start at the top and work your way down to find the resources that match the needs of your students. Implement these activities consistently for a school term; if you are still concerned, or progress has stalled, contact your school OT.

Promoting Fine Motor Skills and Addressing Fine Motor Delays

• Get Ready for Fine Motor
  • Check Posture
  • Readiness Exercises
  • Fine Motor Self Care Checklist
• Ideas for Centre Activities
• Ideas for Fine Motor Group
• Individual Skills to Target
  • Two Handed Activities and Hand Preference
    • Bilateral Coordination Activities
    • Hand Preference
  • Hand Strengthening and Individual Finger Movements
  • Visual Motor Activities
  • Scissor Skills
    • Scissor Skills Workbook
    • Scissor Skill Development

Early Pencil Skills and Grasp Development

• • Pencil Grasp Development – Photos
  • Teaching Pencil Grasp
  • Early Pencil Skills – Workbook
  • Pre-Printing Development
  • Pre-Printing Skills
  • Pre-Printing Program
  • Pre-Printing Workbook by Steph Cadiz, SD42 ST
  • Pre-Printing Worksheets

How and When to Teach Printing

• • Overview of How and When to Teach Printing
  • Printing Like a Pro! Guide for School Staff
  • Printing Like a Pro! Worksheets
  • Learning Without Tears Workbook Ordering Information

Addressing Specific Printing Difficulties

• • Poor Letter Formation – Use Printing Like a Pro!
  • Letter Reversals & Spatial Problems
    • Use Printing Like a Pro! targeting problematic letters for reversals
    • Additional Resources for Letter Reversals
    • See ‘Sentence Section’ to Practice Spacing
    • Example Paper Styles
    • Teaching Spacing Concepts
      • Introduction to Boxed Letters
      • Boxed Letters Worksheet Package
      • Sample Alphabet Box Sheet – Blocked with Letters
      • Sample Alphabet Box Sheet – Blocked with Dots
      • Sample Alphabet Box Sheets – Plain with Dots
      • Sample Alphabet Box Sheets – Plain
  • Difficulties with Pencil Pressure
  • Alternatives to Printing
    • To Write or Type – CanChild Resource
    • How to Teach Keyboarding
    • Keyboarding Programs
      • Typing Club
      • Typing.com
      • Dance Mat Typing
    • Consider speech to text, word prediction, scribe, Apps such as SnapType