Play and hand skills - hand arches

The development of hand arches helps to shape the hand while holding objects. This allows the hand to make more refined movements through the fingers, apply the correct pressure and use the right amount of strength.

These play activities have been put together to improve your child’s hand skills. They can be done in any order and should ideally be practised three times a week for 15 minutes.

• Cutting Playdoh using a knife or pizza slice
• Using a turkey baster to blow ping pong or cotton wool balls across the table
• Using tweezers or salad tongs to pick up objects
• Games with clothes pegs
• Squeezing games with Playdoh and sponges