OT: Pincer grip development

Written By Emma Hackett

OTs talk a lot about pincer grip development. This is when a child can isolate their thumb and index finger to pick something up, rather than using their whole hand. This should develop in kids around 10 months. It’s an essential skill for self feeding, doing buttons, tying shoes and holding a pencil, amongst other things.

Lots of preschool/school aged children use a pincer grip but need to build up their hand strength.

Here are a few ways to strengthen your child’s inner hand muscles to help their pincer grip:

  • Pinch theraputty or playdoh. Try hiding small beads inside the putty and having your child find and pull them out.

  • Fill a spray bottle with water and have them water the plants, ‘paint’ the fence or house or add paint/colour and shoot onto paper to make a painting. 

  • Use small tongs or tweezers to sort blocks or beads by colour/number etc.

Emma Hackett

Emma is a freelance Australian designer specialising in graphic & web design services for new and existing businesses. My mission is to enhance the way your clientele perceive and interact with your business by creating effective, functional and memorable visual communications. Whilst following your brief, I will also offer expertise in terms of functionality and aesthetic to make sure the end result is something we are both proud of! My personal aesthetic is very much a 'less is more' approach. I love spacious design, beautiful imagery and creating communications that accentuate a brand's values and provide a pleasant experience for their target market.

https://emmahackett.design
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