The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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Get a grip! Why fine motor development is essential for Pre-K children |
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How many children do you know who cannot grasp their pencils correctly or formulate letters incorrectly? According to an article in Community Playthings, these problems may occur due to the fact that young children are not developmentally ready for such activities. “Writing is one of the most complex skills a human being performs with his or her hands,” says author Marianne Gibbs. “Developmental readiness for writing starts with gross motor movement and play-not worksheets and pencils!”
Gross motor activity aids fine motor development through helping children manage their bodies. These foundational skills are incredibly important when it comes to tasks such as sitting in a chair in order to write. The article suggests supporting children in gross motor activities such as outdoor play, swinging, jumping, bike-riding, running, playing ball, crawling and dancing.
Important prerequisites for writing include “establishing hand dominance, the ability to cross the midline, and developing the tripod pencil grasp.” Children should use both hands to perform different roles in order to practice hand dominance. When children are demonstrating such functions as wiping off a table, sweeping the floor, or reaching across the body to retrieve objects, they are exhibiting the first expressions of crossing the midline-when two sides of the brain are working together. Have you ever wondered about a good way to teach children how to hold a pencil? We all know three fingers work together: the “Thumbkin, Pointer and Middleman.” Before holding a pencil, Gibbs suggests that children should practice the tripod approach when using tweezers or tongs to stack toys or sensory objects.
Do you think vertical or horizontal surfaces are better for young children’s development? Vertical surfaces are actually a more natural and preferred space. They best support hand skill development of young children. There are so many vertical surfaces at home and at school, all of which can be used to support motor development. Look for chalkboards, easels, walls, filing cabinets, refrigerators, washer/dryers and tables on which coloring, stamping and magnet activities can occur. Scissor skill development is also imperative and works simultaneously with fine motor development. This article teaches cutting strategies to increase proficiency when using scissors. You should start with crumpling, rippling and snipping before moving on to cutting.
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How should you build resilience in children? |
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Childhood is all about growing, both on the inside and outside, but as adults we often forget how we got to where we are today. We take it for granted that we can button our jackets and ride our bikes. An article on PBS.org serves as a reminder that when children work through these challenges, they are building their skills for resilience and perseverance. Children are not born with these traits. “They develop slowly through life experience, practice and with the support of caring adults.” Author Deborah Farmer Kris offers four ways that adults can support the effort to help children build these important traits:
1 - Help children name their goals. When they can name a small goal that they would like to achieve, such as learning a new game, it can “help them focus their attention, explore strategies, and persist when things go wrong.” It also helps us share in their success by saying things like, “You learned how to tie your shoe all by yourself!”
2 - Help children work through tough emotions. Empathy can help children find the strength to keep trying again. Kris suggests trying a simple phrase like, “You spent a long time building that tower and then it fell. That’s super frustrating!”
3 - Praise children’s efforts – and be specific. Descriptive praise is much more powerful than ‘Wow!’ and ‘Nice!,’ vague kindnesses that we are used to sharing. It helps children make the connection between what they are doing and what they are learning. According to Kris, instead of saying “Good work!” it would be beneficial to say, “I like all of the colors you used in that picture.”
4 - Use stories to teach them about “yet.” “The word "yet" is a bridge between present frustration and future possibility,” says Kris. There is a dramatic difference between saying “I can’t do it” and “I can’t do it yet.” Stories help inspire kids to persevere, especially when they experience characters who actively work through challenges.
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Join other early educators who have already registered for "Best Practices for Teaching Pre-K & K!" |
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November 2, 2021
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
A virtual conference for Pre-K and Kindergarten educators - teachers, teacher assistants, administrators, directors and early educational practitioners.
Registration: $75 per person
Keynote Speakers:
- Bari Koral: Mindfulness, Toe-ga, Kids Yoga for
Social Distancing
- Todd Parr: Love and Tacos
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Meet keynote speaker and kids' yogi Bari Koral!
Chances are that you have heard or used Bari Koral’s songs and activities for kids’ yoga because thousands of children and teachers utilize her work every day. Koral, a popular children and family recording artist and a globally recognized kids’ yoga educator, is passionate about sharing her tools for health and happiness. In fact, yoga and mindfulness have calmed her own anxiety and significantly enhanced her life. At the “Best Practices for Teaching Pre-K & K” conference she’ll be sharing methods to help relax in these wild times. Koral will share tips on how to weave mindfulness, kids yoga, music and magic to help take care of yourself right now. According to Koral, once you know the foundation and formula for riding stress, you can build on it for a life time of relaxation.
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Don't miss the first virtual information session about applying for the Child Care Stabilization Grant! |
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Child care stabilization grants have opened with a fast and easy process for New York State's licensed and registered child care programs.
These grants are a part of federal funds given to the state that are a direct result of your advocacy. They can be used for any costs allowed by federal guidelines, such as personnel, supplies, maintenance, rent, and much more. Unlike the CARES Act grants, these funds are, and will be, sent to eligible programs that apply on a monthly basis for six months.
Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. is here to help everyone access these funds. Join their information session:
Wednesday, August 11th
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Please send all questions and concerns to businesshelp@childcarenassau.org.
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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education. |
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71 Clinton Rd. Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: 516-396-2220
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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