In this project, a developmental profile was created based on ongoing observations, assessments and interactions with a child from my kindergarten room. Observations and assessments looked at the following domains of physical (fine and gross motor), self-help, cognitive, social emotional and language. Observations were also be based on the child's interests, such as her explorations in textures like malleable materials, soft and wet, as well as areas that the child reflected strengths in, like her ability to express her thoughts and emotions verbally. Using these observations, an inquiry based learning plan was created in focus of the fine motor domain. Through ongoing observation, it was seen that the child reflected emerging skills in how to hold scissors and use them efficiently when cutting a prescribed shape. Similarly, this was present in learning how to hold a pencil or crayon, and efficiently using it to trace letters and numbers. 

 

Using these observations as well as discussion with my field educator, I created an activity that both supported and challenged the child to explore the little muscles in her fingers! Mixing slime and animal erasers together, the child was expected to pick out the animals within the slime, using a pair of tongs and a spatula. After retrieving the animal, the child would then trace the name of the animal on a worksheet that I created. 

 

This activity was intended to focus on the child's direct need in practising her fine motor skills through palmar and pincer grasps in tool use. It also catered to the child's interests - texture from the slime, and strengths - tracing the names of the animals, reflecting and expressing what she had learned in written and visual form.

 

Click on the image to see the materials used for this activity!    

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