Why is hand strengthening important?
Hand strength sets the foundation for many fine motor skills. Adequate hand strength is required to complete many daily tasks, from buttoning and zipping to writing and manipulating utensils during meal times. Decreased hand strength may not only affect a child’s ability to complete daily tasks, but also may prevent them from fully engaging in activities that are fun and motivating. This takes away learning opportunities and can even lead to decreased self confidence and increased frustrations.
How do I know if my child has limited hand strength?
Decreased hand strength can present in many ways. Here are a few signs:
- Gets tired easily during weight-bearing or overhead activities
- Wrapping all 5 fingers around writing utensils for holding
- Requires assistance to open lids or containers
- Requires assistance to pull buttons or zippers together
- Difficulty carrying, pushing, or pulling weighted items
- Hands fatigue easily when writing or coloring
This sounds like my child. What can I do?
Good news! Building hand strength does not have to be stressful. Here are some fun play activities to help little ones strengthen their hands :
Gross motor activities:
- Animal crawls
- Rock wall climb
- Pushing and pulling on a scooter board
- Tossing ball
Fine motor activities:
- Manipulating Play-Doh
- Picking up items with tongs or clothespins
- Building with Legos
- Pushing Squigz
- Pulling magnets
- Manipulating rubber bands
Household activities:
- Wiping table
- Manipulating a spray bottle for cleaning
- Carrying and pushing laundry baskets
- Carrying groceries
- Carrying trash cans
If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your child, don’t wait to take action! Incorporating simple, play-based activities into your child’s daily routine can make a big difference in building hand strength and improving independence with everyday tasks. Whether it’s crawling like animals, squeezing Play-Doh, or helping with chores around the house, your child can gain valuable skills through everyday play. Our pediatric therapy team is here to help. Reach out today at 1-800-376-3440 to schedule a free discovery session and learn how we can support your child’s development every step of the way!
Sammy Wu OTD, OTR/L & Justine Files OTD, OTR/L
In this video, OT Justine explains why hand strength is essential for daily life and development, how to identify signs of weakness, and shares fun play-based activities to help build hand strength.
