Today in our “OT FUN at home Telehealth Series”, we had a “nail salon”! I’ve seen activities like this on social media and for all those who have done this before me, let me tell you all the great things you were working on!
First, coloring in general is a great fine motor activity. If you practice staying in the lines then you’re working those teeny tiny muscles in the hand that are responsible for writing, the perfect muscle set to build up in those young hands.
Second, while coloring in general is great, if you used crayons or colored pencils then you’re working even more on fine motor endurance. Markers mark on paper easily without much effort from the child, crayons or colored pencils require more effort to produce marks and therefore promote more fine motor strength and endurance.
Third, this is the opportunity to work on coloring in patterns or promoting your child’s imagination by adding to the hand, maybe the person is wearing a watch or a ring or a bracelet, or all three!
So now that you know what skills you’re promoting, keep coloring in those hands!
Stay safe and healthy!