Prewriting / Visual Concentration Skills (one on one activity)
Step One
Draw a color dot with a thick marker on a large size white drawing paper.
Make sure the child is present and attending while your draw on paper.
Have child place small size block (one-inch cube) on dot.
Allow the child to practice as many times as needed.
When child masters the activity, proceed to step two.
(places block on dot without any prompts, a minimum of three times)
Step Two
Provide child with crayon.
Allow child to observe you as you draw two large dots with a thick marker.
Dots will be placed about 4 inches apart on white paper.
Instruct child to draw a line from dot to dot with the crayon.
If necessary, guide the child with your hand.
Allow the child to practice as many times a necessary.
As child masters the skill, you may add another dot.
To master the skill the child must perform the task alone a minimum of three times.
Terminal Behavior: To grasp pencil correctly when writing 100% of the time.
Present Level: When writing child holds pencil inside fist with all four fingers wrapped around the pencil.
This shaping intervention is intended for a five year old having difficulty writing because he does not hold the pencil properly. However, this intervention may also work well with older children having difficulty writing because they hold their pencil incorrectly.
Reinforcement: verbal praise, hand stamp or sticker
Child will be reinforced as he attains each step. Child must demonstrate control of keeping fingers positioned correctly while writing for 30 seconds 3 out of five times before proceeding to the next step.
- Child will hold cotton ball in place with ring finger and pinky as placed by teacher. Teacher will place pencil in child’s hand correctly for writing.
- Child will place cotton ball in palm of hand bending ring finger and pinky, holding the cotton ball in place. Teacher will place pencil in child’s hand correctly for writing.
- Child will bend the ring finger and pinky and maintain closed touching palm. Teacher will place pencil in child’s hand correctly for writing.
- Child will bend the ring finger and pinky and place his pencil in hand correctly for writing.
- Child will pick up and grasp pencil correctly while writing.
Step One
Draw a color dot with a thick marker on a large size white drawing paper.
Make sure the child is present and attending while your draw on paper.
Have child place small size block (one-inch cube) on dot.
Allow the child to practice as many times as needed.
When child masters the activity, proceed to step two.
(places block on dot without any prompts, a minimum of three times)
Step Two
Provide child with crayon.
Allow child to observe you as you draw two large dots with a thick marker.
Dots will be placed about 4 inches apart on white paper.
Instruct child to draw a line from dot to dot with the crayon.
If necessary, guide the child with your hand.
Allow the child to practice as many times a necessary.
As child masters the skill, you may add another dot.
To master the skill the child must perform the task alone a minimum of three times.
Terminal Behavior: To grasp pencil correctly when writing 100% of the time.
Present Level: When writing child holds pencil inside fist with all four fingers wrapped around the pencil.
This shaping intervention is intended for a five year old having difficulty writing because he does not hold the pencil properly. However, this intervention may also work well with older children having difficulty writing because they hold their pencil incorrectly.
Reinforcement: verbal praise, hand stamp or sticker
Child will be reinforced as he attains each step. Child must demonstrate control of keeping fingers positioned correctly while writing for 30 seconds 3 out of five times before proceeding to the next step.
- Child will hold cotton ball in place with ring finger and pinky as placed by teacher. Teacher will place pencil in child’s hand correctly for writing.
- Child will place cotton ball in palm of hand bending ring finger and pinky, holding the cotton ball in place. Teacher will place pencil in child’s hand correctly for writing.
- Child will bend the ring finger and pinky and maintain closed touching palm. Teacher will place pencil in child’s hand correctly for writing.
- Child will bend the ring finger and pinky and place his pencil in hand correctly for writing.
- Child will pick up and grasp pencil correctly while writing.