Does your child have trouble opening snack bags, zipping a coat or buttoning clothes? Does your child have trouble writing or coloring in the lines? Can your child use scissors to cut along a line? Does your child hold a spoon/fork or writing utensil with a fisted grasp?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child may benefit from exercises to strengthen the intrinsic muscles in the hand as well as the joints that stabilize the hand such as the shoulder, elbow and wrist.

Three fun activities your child can do to strengthen his or her muscles to help improve their functional skills are:

1. Outline a picture on a piece of construction paper and have your child use a traditional hole puncher to punch along the lines of the picture. This is a fun way to strengthen the hand muscles as well as the wrist joint.

2. Take one or two colors of Play-Doh and have your child roll the Play-Doh to form four-inch sticks. Then, using a pair of kids scissors, ask your child to cut the stick into six pieces. Rolling the Play-Doh as well as the cutting exercise is fun and beneficial at the same time.

3. Wheelbarrow walking: Hold your child’s legs (closer to the ankles for more of a challenge and closer to the hips to make it easier) and have your child pick up a puzzle piece and bring them to the opposite side of the room to place on the puzzle board. Repeat until the puzzle is complete. This works well using a six- to nine-piece puzzle.

The Therapy Gym, owned by Dr. Elisheva Fuchs, is the leading pediatric therapy center in Bergen County. The Therapy Gym provides physical, occupational, speech, behavioral and aquatic therapy as well as many classes for kids. Only the best, highly skilled and trained therapists work at the gym to help each child reach his or her potential. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, call The Therapy Gym at 201-357-0417 or email [email protected]. You can also follow The Therapy Gym on Instagram and Facebook to learn more tips.

By Dr. Elisheva Fuchs