My son like many kindergarteners has been focusing a lot on writing this year and while they hone their letter formation they are also working on spelling and punctuation. It’s a lot to coordinate. If the physical task of writing is using up all their concentration the more complex ones just add to the possible frustration . The best thing parents can do is to find ways to build those fine motor skills. This task was NOT easy for my son. What I did with this was to balance it with an element he loves ( math) in order for him to do all 4 corks instead of giving up with the first. Don’t be afraid to make something hard just decide what your goal is. That said had there been a complete refusal I would have adapted it using larger objects.
- Gather your materials. You will need some wine corks or rectangular blocks and many elastic bands.
- Wrap the bands around the corks. Wrap a different number of bands around each. Make some tight and other looser.
- Invite your child to make a prediction about how many rubber bands are on each cork. No need to write it down but if you want to add some writing into the activity by all means grab some paper and a pencil with an eraser.
- Start unwrapping. A lot of things come easy to my son so challenges are not always welcomed. I reminded him not to give up that we needed to find out how many were on these little corks. After getting them off count.
- Repeat with the other corks.
This one was wrapped very tightly and he got frustrated initially but oh wait for it… I got a smile out of him too. I slipped in a little chat about how over coming challenges is way more fun than doing a task that is easy to start with. 
Other ways to easily build your child’s fine motor skills are to play with play dough, beading or lacing , sewing and needle arts, playing with stickers, and our favorite Lego. Check out more ideas from all over the web on our Fine Motor Pinterest Board.
Valerie says
I am absolutely loving this. I’ve been thinking of doing an activity with elastics for a while to get my son’s fine motor skills improved and here you are just providing an easy to put together challenge for my preschooler! No need to think about how to make one anymore! You’ve done the thinking for me! Thank you Allie! 🙂
Allison McDonald says
So happy it’s helpful!
jessica says
Oh yes! I love that you have this. it is brilliant! i do something similar with my younger kiddos using cardboard tubes (tp rolls) and small hairbands or cut up tights. been meaning to post a picture but I haven’t got one of the kiddos in action…I should do it anyway. Thank you for the reminder and I love advancing the level using the rubber bands!
Allison McDonald says
I love that idea! I am going to try that with my daughter.
Maura says
Fantastic!! Perfect timing AND I have these materials. Thank you for your terrific ideas/posts/emails.
Faigie says
This is really cute. I recently had a bunch of corks and was racking my brain trying to come up with some ideas for uses for them…great idea
JDaniel4's Mom says
This activity requires so much concentration and focus! Love it!