The preschool children engaged in a range of fine motor activities fostering creativity, hand-eye coordination, and social skills. At one table, they explored playdough, creating cakes, soups, and hearts, while at another they used beads and pipe cleaners to make beaded creations. The playdough activity encouraged imagination and collaboration as children shared their creations. Meanwhile, Wesley asked Merline to connect the pipe cleaners, turning them into a “firehose.” He then counted all the beads that he added and said, “There are 39 beads Merline, that’s a lot of beads.” Anna V counted to 14. Ruby enjoyed the sounds of the beads rolling, and Chloe proudly created a bracelet.
Later, the children practiced cutting skills with scissors and paper. Anna D challenged herself by cutting with socks on her hands, calling them her "paws." Wesley proudly showed his many designs, while Liam and Marcelo expressed their accomplishments with Marcelo eager to show his creation to his mom. This activity promoted hand-eye coordination and dexterity through fine motor skills.
The children also participated in a sand drawing activity with pink sand and wooden styluses, practicing writing their names and drawing shapes. Anna D noted her name's repeating letters, while others identified their own initials, like Luke's “L” and Finnigan's “F.” This tactile experience not only supported fine motor development but also enhanced letter recognition and literacy.
In a creative project inspired by the holy month of Ramadan, the children built mosques using popsicle sticks, tissue paper, and self-adhesive vinyl. This hands-on activity nurtured their fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities, while also introducing them to the cultural significance of Ramadan and fostering teamwork.
Additionally, the children enjoyed reading The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas, which helped them explore emotions. A tuff tray activity allowed them to sort colored pom poms using plastic tweezers, enhancing fine motor control. As they sorted the pom poms, they also discussed how different colors represented various feelings, reinforcing emotional awareness.
Through these activities, the children developed fine motor skills, creativity, social interaction, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
