Learn how to make your own adorable Valentine’s Day cards while focusing on building fine motor skills including manual dexterity, fine motor strengthening, translation, and handwriting and scissoring skills. Fun for all ages.
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It snowed today. Well, a few flurries I must say. Nothing stuck, but it still looked beautiful floating around. I’m from the south, and it doesn’t often snow where we are, but when it does, it makes the cold worth it. To say the least, I’m not a winter-weather person, but I do love the snow. These cold winter days are perfect opportunities for bundling up, drinking hot cocoa, and gathering together for a handcrafted, fine motor project like today’s project.
Today’s adorable little Valentine’s cards are upcycled, super adorable, and are made with a whole lot of love. Plus this project involves variety of fine motor tasks so it is a perfect Valentine’s day winter activity. These sweet little fine motor cards will create a lot of smiles this Valentine’s Day. Plus they’re are so stinkin’ cute everyone will love them.
Today’s project is a three-part project. First, focusing on fine motor strengthening and lacing, then scissoring skills, and lastly handwriting. Before we get started, let’s first discuss the fine motor tasks involved in this project in the occupational therapy fine motor focus where you will learn not only tips and tricks for this fine motor project, but also understand how to get the most out of it. Let’s get started!
Occupational Therapy Fine Motor Focus
As an occupational therapist, I love projects that involve a variety of fine motor skills such as this project. Let’s chat about each of those skills before beginning this project so that you will know exactly which skills to focus on. Make sure to read through all the fine motor focus points as there are occupational therapy tips listed.
What Are Fine Motor Skills?
In occupational therapy, we refer to fine motor skills as the ability to “efficiently utilize the complex musculature of the hands with appropriate strength, dexterity, and coordination in order to grasp, manipulate, and accomplish functional tasks” (NAPA Center). Manipulating buttons, cutting with scissors, grasping a pencil, peeling potatoes, playing a board game, holding playing cards, and turning on a faucet all involve fine motor skills. We use our fine motor skills everyday, throughout the day.
Here are some additional ideas fun fine motor activities to specifically work on strengthening, coordination, and dexterity:
- Squirt water bottle games
- Puzzles and board games
- Lacing activities
- Manipulate buttons such as this fun DIY fine motor teddy bear dressing vest
- Pinch, pull, squeeze playdoh
- String beads
- Use tweezers or bag clips squeeze and pick up small items
If you have concerns regarding fine motor skill development, contact your physician or occupational therapist to discuss any concerns you may have.
Fine Motor Strengthening
Fine motor strengthening includes any exercises that help to strengthen the muscles of the hands and fingers as well as the muscles in the palm of the hand.
The first step in this project is to punch holes around the perimeter of the Valentine’s card. A single hole puncher is a great fine motor strengthening exercise. Add as many or as few holes to your Valentine cards based on the fine motor skills and attention of the individual completing the cards. Too many holes could make the lacing task too difficult while fewer holes could be a better fit depending on the individual.
Add an additional strengthening task by hand ripping old sheets or t-shirts to make fabric scraps for lacing. Just snip and rip old sheets or a t-shirt for a great upper body and fine motor strengthening task as well as bilateral coordination task.
Pincer Grasp
The pincer grasp uses the pads of the index finger and thumb to grasp small objects. Furthermore, this type of grasp is important for handwriting skills, picking up small objects, and dressing skills such as manipulating buttons and zippers.
This project focuses on the pincer grasp while lacing. More specifically, holding the yarn or fabric strips and pushing it through the holes involves the use of the pincer grasp. The process of holding the paper hearts in an accordion manner also uses the pincer grasp as seen in the photo above. Add an additional challenge by stringing beads while lacing. Stringing beads adds an extra fine motor component focusing on the pincer grasp and sequencing.
In-Hand Manipulation Skills
Give this project an additional fine motor challenge by working on the skill of translation, an in-hand manipulation skill. Translation is the ability to move a small object such as a penny or bead from the palm of the hand to the finger tips such as when bringing pennies to the fingertips when counting.
Add the skill of translation to this project by working on bringing beads from the palm of the hand to the fingertips. Then, of course, string the bead onto your Valentine’s cards for an additional decoration.
Manual Dexterity
Manual dexterity is the ability to use the hands in a skillful way to grasp and manipulate objects such as when playing a string instrument, folding paper, and while knitting. This is an important fine motor skill as it is needed to manipulate buttons, move the individual fingers to write letters legibly, and participate in skilled tasks such as sewing and braiding.
Lacing is a big part of this project. Lacing not only involves the use of the pincer grasp, bilateral coordination, and visual motor integration skills, but also involves the skill of manual dexterity.
Manual dexterity, and also sequencing, is also used when folding the top heart in an accordion style. If someone is having difficulty folding the heart, demonstrate step by step using a larger piece of paper. Then when ready, switch to the heart.
Sequencing
Sequencing is the ability to complete an activity from start to finish following step-by-step procedures such as when following a recipe.
This project is a great step-by-step, sequencing activity. Lacing alone is a good project to work on the ability to sequence and follow step-by-step directions. Folding paper in an accordion style, mentioned above under manual dexterity, also involves the skill of sequencing.
For an added challenge, as stated before, add beads while lacing.
Handwriting
For this project, add wording as you see fit based on the handwriting and fine motor skills of the individual. Write simple phrases (“We love you” or “Happy Valentine’s Day”) to something longer like a short letter. Base the card size on how many words you plan to write. Furthermore, here are some additional handwriting tips:
- If needed, draw straight lines using a ruler or other straight edge for writing letters to help the individual stay organized while writing for better legibility and line adherence (staying along a line).
- If working on copying words from a board, (if available) write words on a dry erase board or chalkboard, otherwise, write the wording on another piece of paper for copying practice.
- When writing a letter, discuss and give an example for how to write a formal short letter.
- If needed, practice writing letters on a separate piece of paper before writing on the cards.
Scissoring Skills
Scissoring is a complex task. It not only involves fine motor and visual motor skills, but it also involves separation of the hand, fine motor strength, and bilateral coordination. Furthermore, the task of cutting with scissors includes manipulating the paper (turning the paper as needed) while opening and closing the scissors (separation of the hand) all the while following along a line with the eyes while coordinating motor movements (visual motor integration). A lot goes into the much needed life skill.
If cutting along a line is difficult, add this additional step to encourage better line adherence.
- Make sure scissors are held in a correct, thumb up position.
- Outline the hearts using a brightly colored marker such as red or green. Black also works well. Use a thicker line for children who may have more difficulty cutting along a line. And don’t worry, you can flip over the hearts if you choose so that the marker is not seen.
- Use hand over hand assistance if the individual is having difficulty opening or closing the scissors.
- Check out these DIY loop scissors. These self-opening scissors make the task of cutting with scissors easier. Do-it-yourself loop scissors are great for individuals who have difficulty opening the scissors. It’s a quick and easy tutorial, and only a few materials are needed.
*If you have concerns regarding fine motor skill development make sure to contact your pediatrician, and set up an evaluation with an occupational therapist. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitution for occupational therapy.
How Can I Add More Of A Challenge To This Project?
Give this project more of a challenge by adding beads while lacing. Adding beads to this project adds another layer of motor planning, bilateral coordination, visual motor, and sequencing as well as encouraging the use of additional fine motor skills.
While stringing beads, work on the skill of translation, an in-hand manipulation skill. Translation is the ability to move small objects from the palm of the hand to the fingertips, and vice versa. For example, you use translation when bringing coins from the palm of your hand to your fingers when counting or making change. Do this same exercise using beads. See pictures above for reference.
How Can I Make This Project A Little Easier?
To make this project easier, space the lacing holes further apart so that less lacing is required. Try using a dull-ended darning needle to see if it makes the process of lacing easier for the individual.
Another way to make this project a little easier is to skip folding the heart in an accordion style. You can always continue working on this skill on the side, but it can be skipped if too much difficulty or frustration is seen.
Complete the number of cards as necessary based on fine motor abilities and attention span. Make sure to take breaks as needed or even continue this project on a different day if you are making multiple cards.
Projects With A Purpose
Projects With A Purpose is a section of my posts where I lay out ideas for sharing some of The DIY Therapist projects with others. These DIY Valentine’s Cards, for example, are a great way to show others you are thinking of them all while checking those fine motor skills for the day off the to do list.
I love projects like this especially when it’s focused around a holiday. This is a great way to reach out to others and get involved in your community. Consider inviting a group of kids or adults for a day of crafting together. Make plans to hand deliver to neighbors, or visit residents at a local nursing care facility and hand deliver cards. Or consider volunteering your time at your local school leading a group of kids in this activity. There are lots of ways to get involved. Here are some ideas for how to spread a little love in your local community and things to consider before doing so.
Things To Consider
- Contact, by email or phone, the supervisor, speech-language pathologist, physical or occupational therapist before collecting supplies or volunteering your time.
- If you are considering volunteering your time or hand-delivering cards, find out what their COVID protocols are before your visit.
- Email a link to this project so that they can determine if this hands-on project is a good fit for their center.
- Find out how many children or adults will be participating in this project, and collect supplies.
- Does the facility have enough scissors for everyone to use, will they have to share, or do you need to bring scissors with you? What type of scissors are needed (ie: child safety scissors)?
- Is glue available?
- How many single hole punchers are available? Figure out how many hole punchers are needed for this project. Consider borrowing from friends and neighbors if needed.
- Cut the size cards you will need ahead of time.
Schedule A Crafting Day
Plan a crafting day ahead of Valentine’s Day with friends, family, or with your own children and some of their friends. Collect and organize supplies, play music, make hot cocoa, and enjoy your time together.
Deliver Cards To Your Local Residential Senior Care Center
Hand deliver or drop off pre-made cards to the residents at a local assisted living center or skilled nursing facility. This is a great way to spread joy over Valentine’s Day. Furthermore, it is also a great way to get kids involved not only by making the cards, but also by hand delivering cards. You all will bring so many smiles to so many faces. This is a wonderful way to get involved in your community.
Deliver Cards To Your Neighbors And Older Adults In Your Community
Make and deliver cards to those you know in your community. Deliver cards to your neighbors, those living alone, or seniors. Say hello, bring your Valentine’s cards, and consider bringing your favorite cookies to share together.
Help Lead This Project At Your Local School, Boys And Girls Club, Or Senior Center
This is another great way to get involved and volunteer your time. Contact the school or center to find out if this is a good fit. Gather supplies including the directions.
Donate Supplies
Consider donating supplies as an art project for others to enjoy at your local Boys And Girls Club, school, pediatric therapy center, or senior care center. Email the manager, teacher, or therapist about donating supplies. Include a link to this post so they can determine if the project is a good fit for their center or classroom.
How To Make These Adorable Valentine’s Day Cards
Materials
- Thin pieces of cardboard cut to your preferred card size.
- Yarn, lace, ribbon, or strips of fabric scraps for lacing
- Glue sticks
- Card stock or construction paper
- Single hole puncher
- Scissors or child-safe scissors
- Marker(s)
- Darning needle (optional)
- Beads (optional)
- Ruler or other straight edge (optional)
*Using small items as such beads can be a choking hazard for young children under the age of 3 years, or for anyone who chews on non-edible items.
**As always when using a darning needle, supervision is required to avoid injuries.
Instructions
- Hole punch a border around the card using a single hole puncher.
- Cut your chosen lacing material. Helpful hint, cut your lacing material longer than you think you need to ensure you do not run out at the end. Use a dull-ended darning needle if needed. *Note: To prepare fabric strips using old sheets or t-shirts, cut long strips with scissors or “snip and rip” the fabric. More specifically, snip approximately one inch of fabric then proceed by ripping the sheets or t-shirt in the opposite direction. Both sheets and t-shirts should easily rip when ripped in the correct direction. For example, t-shirts should be ripped in the direction as if going along the waistline.
- Begin lacing. Leave 2” tail hanging when you begin lacing. You will use this tail to make a knot when finished lacing. Leave another 2” tail at the end. Tie both ends together.
- Next, cut out two to three various sized hearts and glue in an upper corner of the card. Fold the last heart, in an accordion style, as seen in the picture and glue.
- Hand write a message on the open portion of the card.
- Mail or hand deliver your Valentine’s cards.
Resources
Fine Motor Skills by the NAPA Center
For additional information regarding fine motor skills, check out this fantastic resource by The OT Toolbox
Here are some other fine motor projects you might enjoy:
