As Paediatric Occupational Therapists, we know how important it is for kids to develop fine motor skills to support everyday tasks, including handwriting, using utensils, and even getting dressed. One fun and effective tool we often recommend is Theraputty. This versatile material offers a wide range of fun exercises for kids, designed to improve hand strength, coordination, and dexterity. Plus, it’s a great way for parents to engage with their children through play!
Benefits of Using Theraputty
Theraputty is more than just a squishy toy—it’s a fantastic resource for supporting your child’s fine motor development. Here’s how:
- Hand Strengthening: Theraputty offers resistance, helping to build strength in the fingers, hands, and wrists. This is especially important for kids who may have weaker hand muscles, which can affect tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, or opening jars.
- Improving Coordination: Using theraputty helps refine motor control and coordination, which are key skills for accurate, smooth movements. This makes tasks like cutting with scissors or using utensils easier.
- Enhancing Handwriting Skills: Theraputty exercises help children develop better control and endurance, allowing them to grip a pencil more effectively. As their hand strength increases, they can maintain a steady grip for longer periods, leading to smoother, more legible handwriting with less fatigue.
Types of Theraputty: Colors, Strengths, and Grades
Theraputty comes in a variety of colors, each representing a different level of resistance. This allows for a gradual progression of strength-building as your child’s fine motor skills improve.Theraputty is non-toxic and safe for kids to use. Your child’s OT can help you choose the right strength to suit their specific needs.
- Yellow (Extra Soft): Best for very young children or those with low muscle tone, offering the least resistance.
- Red (Soft): Slightly more resistance, great for kids just starting with hand-strengthening exercises.
- Green (Medium): Provides moderate resistance, ideal for children with developing hand strength.
- Blue (Firm): Best for older kids or those with stronger hands needing a greater challenge.
- Black (Extra Firm): The most resistant and typically used in advanced strengthening exercises for older children or adults.
What’s the Difference Between Therapy Putty, Playdough, Silly Putty, and Slime?
When it comes to fun and creativity, kids enjoy a variety of tactile materials. But what sets theraputty, silly putty, playdough, and slime apart?
Playdough is a versatile favorite that holds its shape well, making it perfect for building and using with tools. However, if left out, it will dry and harden, limiting its lifespan.
Silly Putty offers a different experience. It can be stretched, squished, and twisted, but doesn’t maintain its shape as effectively as playdough.
Slime is known for its ooey-gooey texture and drippy consistency. While it can provide sensory fun, it’s often the messiest choice and doesn’t lend itself to as much creative play or strengthening benefits as the others.
Theraputty is much more similar in texture to silly putty than playdough, but it’s specifically designed for hand therapy and strengthening purposes. It comes in various resistances, offering both softer and harder options. This makes theraputty ideal for rehabilitation and improving hand strength.
All four options can enhance sensory play and creativity, but if your child is focused on developing hand strength, theraputty is the best choice!
Theraputty Activities to Try at Home
Theraputty is simple to use and a fun way to play while building important skills. Here are just a few theraputty activities ideas parents can try with their kids, the play possibilities are endless!
Roll a Snake
Have your child roll the putty into a long snake. This helps strengthen their fingers and hands while working on bilateral coordination (using both hands together).
Hide and Seek
Hide small objects like beads or buttons in the putty and have your child dig them out. This activity builds finger strength and improves their pincer grasp, which is essential for holding a pencil.
Squeeze and Pinch
Ask your child to squeeze or pinch the putty into different shapes or sizes. This simple exercise helps to strengthen the muscles used for writing, drawing, and cutting.
Thumb Presses
Encourage your child to press their thumb deep into the putty. This strengthens their thumb muscles, which are crucial for a strong and controlled pencil grip.
Cutting Theraputty
Give your child child-safe scissors or fork and knife to encourage them to "cut" through the putty. This helps with bilateral coordination and mastery of cutting skills.
How to Clean and Store Theraputty
To keep theraputty fresh and clean, here are some tips:
- Storage: Always store theraputty in an airtight container or resealable bag to keep it from drying out.
- Cleaning: If the putty gets dirty, gently press and roll a clean piece of putty over the dirty spot to lift off lint or debris. Avoid putting it on fabric, as it may stick.
- Stain Removal: If theraputty gets stuck on clothing or carpets, place an ice cube on it to harden, and then peel it off. If the fabric is washable, soaking it in warm soapy water for a while may help loosen the putty. You can also use a little rubbing alcohol for any residual stains
Remember to remind kids to use theraputty on smooth, non-porous surfaces like a table to avoid accidental messes!
How Paediatric OTs Can Help
While theraputty can be a fantastic tool at home, a Paediatric Occupational Therapist can provide specialized guidance on how to incorporate theraputty exercises for kids into a targeted therapy plan. Every child is unique, and therapists can tailor activities based on your child’s specific needs—whether they need support with handwriting or overall fine motor development.
If you’re noticing that your child is struggling with tasks like writing, cutting, or managing buttons, reaching out to an OT can make a world of difference. We’re here to assess, guide, and create a personalized plan that not only helps your child develop these important skills but also makes the process fun!
References:
Gottlieb, B. (2014). "Using therapy putty in the treatment of children with fine motor difficulties." American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(Suppl. 2), S18-S24.
Case-Smith, J., & Arbesman, M. (2008). Evidence-based practice: Handwriting intervention for students with handwriting difficulties. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 28(3), 126-137.
Hwang, Y. S., & Hwang, S. H. (2014). The effects of playful activities on the improvement of hand function and grasping skills in children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 7(1), 55-68.
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