Taskbox Time-- Fine Motor

Whether you are using structured work systems or are looking for accessible tasks for your students, this month's Taskbox Time has some ideas for basic fine motor tasks to get you started.

In this task, students practice color matching skills while clipping monster chip clips to a paper plate. 

Deanna Mullins
Kiser PK-8, Dayton

 This is a great fine motor task for this time of year. Students can make beaded candy canes on pipe cleaners.

Robbie Whorton
Trotwood-Madison High School, Trotwood 

Easter eggs can be used as a simple task where students open the eggs or it can be a more advanced task where students match colors and snap the egg shut. 

Other openning and closing tasks can be made using plastic containers with snap lids or using containers with lids that can be screwed on or off.

This task can be made with a sturdy paper towel roll (like those found in the school paper towel dispenser) and rubber bands. To make a more difficult task, students have to put the rubber bands on the tube. For an easier task, they can practice taking them off. 

This is a more advanced task where students use small tweezers to transfer small pom-poms from one container to the next.

When setting up fine motor tasks, it is important to decide if you will focus on the basic or the advanced version of the task. Present the task consistently in the same way so the student knows what your expectation is. If a student starts with the basic version and is ready to transition to the more advanced version it is important that you take the time to teach the new expectation. Use visuals or new materials to help the student know what to do.

Most of these taskboxes can be made simply with common household and office supplies. The Target dollar bins and Dollar Tree also offer affordable materials for easy taskbox assembly. Other organizations provide donations. In the Miami Valley, many teachers volunteer at Crayons for Classrooms or attend the Montgomery County Material Reuse Facility's Teacher Shopping Days.

For more ideas check out some of our favorite structured work system books.