This document provides instructions and ideas for level one of the "Clever Hands Puzzles Training Games" program. The level is designed for beginners and focuses on developing hand dexterity and strength. Suggested activities include puzzles, feely games, play dough, threading, hammering, and hand/finger rhymes and games. The goal is to have fun repeating the activities regularly to improve fine motor skills.

1. • There are three levels to the “Clever Hands Puzzles Eastern and Coastal Kent
Primary Care Trust
Training Games” and this is level one for
beginners. • Wooden inset puzzles with chunky hand grips.
• Wooden inset puzzles with small hand grips.
• Play the games in any order until you are
good at all of them, before going on to level • Large chunky 2 piece interlocking puzzles.
two. • 2 - 4 piece puzzle within a framed border.
Fizzy’s Training Games:
Date of Review: May 2009
• The games should be fun and repeated on a
regular basis to improve hand dexterity and Finger Cymbals
strength. • Place a cymbal on each index finger and clap
together.
Clever Hands
(Resource list accompanies this programme)
• Now place a cymbal on your thumb and index
Feely Games
finger of one hand. Clever Hands Level One
Fizzy says: “Play and enjoy!”
• Hide everyday objects, for example, teaspoon,
cotton wool balls, large beads, little bricks, Other Ideas
toothbrush, in a box of sand / rice/ pasta / flour
etc. • Patting and
tapping a
Fizzy says: “What can you find?” balloon into the
• Try this game again placing objects into a bag. air.
Date of Publication: May 2008
• Squeeze a
plastic bottle
Feely Pictures or bath toy in
• Tear up tissue water to make
paper. bubbles.
• Scrunch up the Fizzy says: “You
paper using may need to use
your fingers (as both hands.”
shown in the
picture) and glue • Blowing bubbles.
Level One
onto the paper. Can you pop them with one finger?
• Squeeze squeaky toys (see pictures).
You can also use cotton wool, glitter, string, sand
and oddments of different textures. If you would like this leaflet in another format or A programme complied by
language please contact the Communications Team Occupational and Physiotherapists.
Fizzy says: “What else can you use for your picture?” By telephone: 01227 791161 or
Email: communications@eastcoastkent.nhs.uk Advice for
Leaflet code: 0103
Slime (see resource list for recipe) parents, carers and education staff.
PALS
Fizzy says: “Play and enjoy.” Patient Advice and Liaison Service Children’s Assessment Centre
Warning: It is messy! Keep clothes covered! Kent & Canterbury Hospital
If you need information, support or advice about Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG
our services, please contact PALS. Phone: 01227 783043 Fax: 01227 783185
Inset Puzzles Phone: 0800 085 6606
Try large and easy to manipulate inset puzzles. Email: pals@eastcoastkent.nhs.uk www.eastcoastkentpct.nhs.uk
© Copyright 2008. Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust

2. Play-dough Tongs Pastry Making
• Can you roll out a sausage? Fizzy says: “Use • Roll the pastry into a ball.
one hand on the
Fizzy says: “Make • Flatten it with your hands.
tongs. You need
sure you use both to hold the tongs • Cut it into shapes using pastry cutters and shape
hands.” with your thumb
on one side and cutters.
• Now can you
turn your your fingers on the
sausage into other.” Duplo
a dinosaur Fizzy says: “What can you make?”
• Snap the tongs
by using your like a crocodile.
thumb and first finger to pinch along the top to Hammering
make spines? • Can your crocodile bite the paper?
• Find toys with
• Roll it flat and make shapes using cutters. • Tear and scrunch up paper and pick it up with your which you can
tongs. use a hammer.
• Roll a sausage
again, can you • Pick up cotton wool balls.
cut it into piece
with a play knife? • Now try little bricks.
Fizzy says: “Try
to keep your first Posting
finger on the top Threading
• Pick up and
of the knife and post coins into a • Thread large
your thumb and the money box. beads onto
other fingers either side. Hold your play doh still with dowels/sticks.
you other hand.”
• Can you roll it flat again and make a face out of
the play-dough?
Pegs (for graded pegs see resource list) • Post dried peas
/ pasta / sugar
Hand and Finger Rhymes and Games
Fizzy says: “Look at the picture, hold the peg this
way.” decorations into • Two Little Dickie Birds.
a bottle and • Twinkle, Little Star.
• Peg pegs onto screw up the lid.
the edge of the • Tommy Thumb.
box. • Play games with Finger Puppets.
Note:
• Peg pegs onto a If you are working
rag doll/teddy. with a child who
Musical Instruments
• Peg pegs onto a still puts objects • Castanets / maracas.
T-shirt on a teddy. into his/her mouth use edible items, for example, • Keyboards.
raisins, dried banana chips, ‘holey’ cereals etc.
• Toy trumpets / saxophone.
Continued at the back of the leaflet...