Todd Elementary Kindergartners Hone Fine Motor Skills In Skill Builders Studio

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

Todd Elementary School students are always willing to lend a helping hand to younger students.

This year, there are plenty of opportunities to support others, in particularly in STEAM class’s new initiative, “Skill Builders Studio.”

Each Friday afternoon, kindergarten students visit STEAM teacher Ana Correia for an informal session that focuses on fine motor skills. During the session, several fifth graders are invited to be helpers during these on hands-on activities designed to improve those skills.

Recently, kindergartners in Christina Hurley’s class spent time with fifth graders in Lorraine McDermott and Melissa Magliulo’s class to work on pencil grip and strength; scissor use and cutting precision; drawing shapes and simple figures; tearing, gluing, folding and manipulating materials; tying; and visual-motor integration and coordination.

“Fine motor skills are essential for success in both the classroom and STEAM learning,” Ms. Correia said. “The goal of these sessions is to build confidence and control through developmentally appropriate tasks that support classroom expectations like writing, cutting and creating. It was wonderful to watch the fifth graders help the younger students. They are great role models!”

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.