Pencils and paper are simple materials that early childhood educators can use to foster small motor development in groups of students. These manipulatives can help young children to to develop finger and hand strength -- holding and gripping the pencil -- as well as coordination and dexterity -- writing or drawing. Group the students into small sections of three or four at a table. Provide various types of pencils to choose from, such as regular ones, thicker versions or colored pencils. Use paper scraps, large-lined paper or blank construction/drawing paper. Ask the children to start by scribbling and then transition into writing or tracing capital letters and geometric shapes.
Although preschoolers might not be ready for a thread and needle, they can copy basic sewing motions using manipulatives, such as lacing cards and yarn. Lacing cards are store-bought pieces of hard cardboard with holes punched along the sides or in the middle. Many of these cards come in themed packages, such as outlines of winter clothes. But you can save money on school supplies by creating your own with cardboard and a hole punch. Give the group of students cards in different shapes and sizes and allow them to choose and share the ones that they want. The preschoolers can work on small motor skills by threading long pieces of yarn through the holes.
A rice or sand table and manipulatives, such as child-sized plastic shovels, funnels, scoops and spoons, can help preschoolers to build hand-eye coordination and other fine motor skills. Fill your table -- you can use a drained and dried water table or even shallow paddling pool -- with clean rice or children's play sand. Section students into groups of three or four, depending on the table's size. Place the manipulatives in the center, within reach of all of the children, and encourage sharing and play. If you notice that children are sticking with the same toys, set a timer and tell the children to switch when the bell rings.
Modeling clay or dough can be bent, squished, molded, pushed, rolled and more. Use this pliable material as a manipulative to build your preschoolers' fine motor skills. Place a few balls or tubes of clay in the center of a table or work space. Seat four or more children around the table. Supply them with clay tools, small rolling pins or even plastic spoons. Invite the children to manipulate the clay into abstract forms or shapes of real objects. Talk to the children as they explore, encouraging them to try different techniques.