Coloring Sand Paper: Fine Motor Skills

Does your child hold their crayons and pencils with their whole fist (palmar grasp)? Using sandpaper as a canvas instead of regular white paper could teach your child to hold their coloring utensils the proper way (tripod grasp). Because sandpaper has a rugged surface, children will need to push harder on the crayon to make a mark and no one wants to rub the side of their hand all over rough sandpaper!  As the pre-school years become more imminent, you will want to encourage the tripod grasp when drawing and coloring- as this will create a smoother transition into writing! If nothing else, the sandpaper will provide a new sensory experience for your little ones!