t o o l s t o g r o w a t s c h o o l handwriting warm up ... warm up cards... · these cards...

Handwriting Warm Up Cards

Color Version

Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc. All rights reserved. www.toolstogrowot.com

Warm Up Ca

Tools to Grow at School

Dear Educational Staff,

Handwriting is an essential skill for children. Even with the use of computers, handwriting remains the main tool for recording information in most classrooms. As early as kindergarten, children spend nearly one-half of their fine motor time on paper and pencil activities during the school day. Children that can write in a spontaneous, legible and timely manner have an academic advantage.

Well developed handwriting requires proper body posture, a stable torso, intact vision to guide hand movements, controlled use of the small muscles in the hand, hand strength and overall endurance. Children may struggle with handwriting due to deficits in one of these areas, or perhaps another reason.

To promote optimal handwriting development, your student’s Occupational Therapist has determined that he or she would benefit from routine participation in simple hand movements and exercises known as HANDWRITING WARM UPS.

This guide is to be used as an at school tool when completing hand writing practice or other hand written homework.

The HANDWRITING WARM UPS provides illustrations that were designed to be easily copied by your student(s). The movements and exercises can be used at the beginning (to warm up), throughout (stay focused), and at the end of a writing session (relax). Your students Occupational Therapist may have included special instructions.

Enjoy helping your students grow!

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Handwriting Warm Ups Tools to Grow at School


Border Image by Krista Wallden http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Krista-Wallden

Instructions to Print:

Materials Needed:

Classroom Use:

These cards visually depict handwriting warm up’s that can be easily copied by a student.

Purpose:

Cards

Handwriting Warm Up

Small stress ball

Warm up Cards

1. Print out Handwriting Warm Up cards.

2. Laminate or print on heavy cardstock.

1. Explain education handout with educational staff.

2. Teach/Review each Handwriting Warm Up.

3. Based upon the needs of the child(ren), select and customize the most appropriate Warm Up card(s).

4. Each card can be placed on the table, on a ring, or flip chart to allow for a visual of strategies.

5. These Warm Up cards can be utilized in a variety of school, home, and community based settings.


Snap your fingers 5 x each hand.

Repeat ___ times each.

Push your finger tips together then relax.

Repeat ___ times.

Squeeze a stress ball 5 times.

Repeat ___ times each hand.

Touch each fingertip with your thumb on both hands.


www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc. www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc.

www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc. www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc.

Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc.



Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc. www.toolstogrowot.com www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc.

www.toolstogrowot.com www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc.

Cross your arms over your chest and give yourself a hug.


Gently place both hands on top of your head and push down.


Place your hands on your chair seat and push up your bottom.


Stretch your hands out to the side and move them over your head.


Cross your arms over your chest




Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc. www.toolstogrowot.com www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc.

www.toolstogrowot.com www.toolstogrowot.com Copyright ©2014 Tools to Grow, Inc.

Gently push down on your thighs with your palms


Face and place your arms straight on the wall. Lean towards wall, bending elbows. Push your body back to standing position.

Repeat ___ times.

Twirl your pencil around your fingers like a Ferris wheel.

Repeat ___ times.

Walk your fingers up and down your pencil.

Repeat ___ times.

t o o l s t o g r o w a t s c h o o l handwriting warm up ... warm up cards... · these cards...

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