Fine Motor · 5 min read
Letters Before Pencils: How Young Brains Learn to Write
Why young children learn letters best through movement, touch and play, the building blocks that come before a pencil, and the multisensory tools I use with families.
Special Supplies
Therapy Putty (Resistive)
Why Erin picked it
The putty I use in the clinic. Hide beads in it to dig out, pinch, roll and squeeze. It builds the hand strength behind writing, cutting and buttons, and squeezing it is calming too.
Kids whose hands tire quickly when writing, or who avoid fine motor tasks.
Your child still mouths objects. Stick to playdough with close supervision.
Affiliate link: I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Prices and availability are set by Amazon. Always supervise play and follow the manufacturer's safety guidance.
Hands-on review
How I use it with kids
Therapy putty is one of the most-used tools in my clinic. Kids think it's play, but every pinch, pull and squeeze builds the small hand muscles behind holding a pencil, cutting with scissors and managing buttons and zippers.
My favorite way to use it: hide small beads inside and have your child dig them out with their fingertips. Then roll snakes, pinch it flat, or pull it apart with two hands. Squeezing it is calming too, so it doubles as a fidget during homework.
This is the resistive version, so it's firmer than playdough. Supervise younger kids, keep it away from carpet and fabric, and put it back in its tub so it stays clean.
Erin Wiggins, OT · How I choose products
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