Wrist Stability and Hand Arches

Expanding on the "Secrets to Good Handwriting" post from several weeks back, today I am addressing wrist extension stability and the hand arches.  Remember that developing all of the skills mentioned in that original post will positively affect your child's fine motor skills. Think of those skills mentioned as the building blocks of fine motor skills.

Wrist extension stability:
There is no other joint in the arm that can compensate for wrist limitations. Kids with fine motor issues will compensate for poor wrist stabilization of the wrist by flexing the wrist (bending it toward the palm) to "lock" it into a stable position. This is often seen in left handed kids, and I call it “hooking” of the wrist. This position affects dexterity and range of motion in the fingers and thumb.  What you will often observe is that the child moves their whole arm as a unit when they are writing or coloring.  A better position is a slightly extended wrist position (wrist bent back); this allows for a better thumb position, a better arch in the hand, and isolated movement of the fingers.  As a result, strengthening the muscles that extend the wrist can help with working on fine motor skills.

Activities:
-work on a vertical surface/plane. Examples would be an easel, chalkboard, slantboard or just tape some paper to the wall. You can have your child paint, draw, color, do mazes, complete dot-to-dot, stencils, etc.  You can make your own slantboard by using a large 3 ring binder.

-weight bearing activities where your child has to lean on an open hand (leaning on an arm while side sitting, assuming a 4 point position and completing an activity, do animal walks etc.)

-have your child lean his/her forearm on a table top so that their hand extends beyond the edge of the table.  Have them hold a weight or a soup can in their hand and extend their wrist (bend the wrist back).  Complete several repetitions.

Hand arches:
There are actually several arches in the hand, but three main ones; one is rigid and 2 are flexible.  The arches allow you to touch your thumb to your other fingers.  Hand arches provide stability for picking up objects, writing, fine motor tasks and for grasping tightly.

 Activities include:
-use tongs or clothespins to pick up small objects

-cupping hands to shake and roll dice, or scoop up sand, rice, beans
-use the palms of the hand to roll play dough or putty into balls or snakes
-using the side of a crayon, rub a piece of paper with something underneath, such as a leaf or coins
-hold a small piece of chalk to draw pictures or write on a chalk board
-play with sock puppets or puppets
-play with a racquetball or other similar sized balls encourages the natural contour of the hand.  For babies/toddlers or for kids who developmentally fit into this age range, these are great:

Baby Einstein Roller-Pillar Activity Balls, 3-36 Months - 5 balls

I actually found these for my great niece and gave them to her for Christmas because they encourage arch development (always a hidden agenda...).  I got them at Target for $10, but you can also find them online at amazon.com for the same price.

This is my "Great Ava" developing her hand arches!