Sneaking Fine Motor into Your Day

In a recent MSTA webinar, Joplin transitional kindergarten lead teacher Erica Doennig shares insights on integrating fine motor skill development into daily classroom activities. With 28 years of experience, Doennig has observed a growing number of students entering school with underdeveloped fine motor skills. This realization has fueled her passion for seamlessly incorporating fine motor exercises into her teaching routine, benefiting all students.

Doennig emphasizes that enhancing fine motor skills doesn't have to be an additional task for teachers. Instead, it can be woven into existing activities, making it a natural part of the day. She outlines four key areas for integration: morning tubs, early finisher activities, centers and stations, and sensory tubs. Each area provides opportunities for students to develop precision, dexterity, and coordination in their hand and finger muscles.

For instance, Doennig suggests using Play-Doh and therapy putty for morning activities, allowing students to strengthen their hands while having fun. She also recommends using everyday classroom items like beads, pipe cleaners, and hole punches to create engaging tasks that combine fine motor practice with academic learning. Additionally, she highlights the importance of sensory tubs, which can be filled with various materials to encourage exploration and creativity.

Doennig's approach is resourceful and budget-friendly, utilizing common classroom materials and creative DIY solutions. She encourages teachers to explore free resources online and collaborate with colleagues to find innovative ways to support fine motor development. By incorporating these strategies, teachers can help students build essential skills that will support their academic growth and overall development.

Watch the full webinar to see Doennig demonstrate a variety of fine motor activities that she uses in her classroom.

For more information or to connect with Doennig, you can reach her at ericadoennig@joplinschools.org.

MSTA members can also take the mini-course on this webinar to earn professional learning hours.

This post was written with the help of MSTA's AI chatbot Tillie based on the original MSTA webinar streamed March 11, 2025.