January
has passed as we roll into our shortest month of the year, February! For being a
short month, there are a lot of events happening. We celebrate Groundhog’s Day,
Valentine’s Day and this year, we even have February 29th. Let’s
celebrate by working on your child’s fine motor skills such as bilateral
coordination, cutting skills, grasp patterns, and hand strength. Each activity
is based on a national day of the month. Let’s get started, we only have 29 days!
February
2nd
Groundhog’s
Day! This day we let Punxsutawney Phil decide our weather forecast for the next
6 weeks! Many people travel to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, just to see
Punxsutawney Phil. Instead of traveling to see the groundhog, let’s work on
your child’s fine motor skills by creating their own Punxsutawney Phil. Click
on the link for directions and materials needed.
http://www.craftymorning.com/groundhog-paper-plate-craft-for-kids/
February
8th
National
Kite Day! Now, it may be too cold to fly a kite in northeastern Ohio this
month; however, your child can make a kite to play with indoors! This kite is
attached to a dowel rod, so your child won’t need to run in order to fly it.
With a few simple items like paper plates, duct tape and ribbon, your child
will be at new heights celebrating National Kite Day. Click on the link for
directions and materials needed.
February
14th
Valentine’s
Day! Your elementary school-aged child will most likely be participating in a
Valentine’s Day party at school. Therefore, making a Valentine’s Day box is a
great way to work on a kiddo’s fine motor skills. There are so many ways to
make these boxes. You can use a cereal box, shoe box, Build-A-Bear box and many
more. However, this is the day of love. So, let’s celebrate by making homemade
Play-Doh! Your child can distribute this with their Valentine’s Day cards.
Play-Doh is a fantastic way to increase hand strength. You can even hide
Sweetheart candies in the Play-Doh for the children to find! The Play-Doh adds resistance when searching
for the candies, which helps to increase hand strength. Click on the link for
directions and materials needed.
February
20th
National
Love Your Pet Day! This day is in honor of your child’s best friend! Whether
his/her best friend is a dog, cat, hamster, or even a fish, celebrate this day
while working on your child’s fine motor skills by making craft stick picture
frames. This activity requires craft sticks, glue, buttons and beads. You can
make it more creative with glitter and pom-poms. When the picture frame is dry,
place a photo of the two best friends in the frame and display it in your
child’s bedroom! Click on the link for
directions and materials needed.
February
29th
Birthday
Celebration! February 29th only comes every 4 years. Therefore, we can’t rush
into March without a celebration! People with this birthdate finally get to
celebrate a REAL birthday! If your child
was not born on this date, then work on their fine motor skills by throwing a
pretend birthday party. Make a giant cake using tissue paper, stampers, paint,
stickers and more. Just don’t forget the ice cream! Click on the link for
directions and materials needed.
By Brittany Stout, OTR/L
Labels: Parents
