Before working with students, gather materials needed to create a fine-motor manipulative and a project that will encourage math skills. Long lengths of twine or string along with large beads will be needed for the project. Students will create counting beads that will assist with learning how to count and encourage fine-motor skills.
Tie a large bead at the end of each length of string, making sure there are enough for each child. Have each child pick 10 beads of his own choice and string onto the length of string. Help tie the ends of the string once the children have laced on their 10 beads. Use the counting beads to count objects around the room by sliding one bead from one end to the other.
Toothpicks are a great item to use for working with fine-motor skills and preschoolers. Gather various snack items for children to experiment with such as blueberries, marshmallows and cereal. Make a selection of items for each child on a small plate along with two toothpicks after making sure no one is allergic to any food items.
For a special snack, allow children to eat the food items without touching the food with their hands. They must either pierce the food with a toothpick, or use both to pick up the food.
Make a fine-motor-skills game with an empty egg carton, chopsticks and rubber bands. Before letting preschoolers experiment with the fine-motor game, connect the ends of two sets of chopsticks with rubber bands, making sure they are secured together. Gather several small objects such as rocks, small wooden blocks, puzzle pieces and paper clips. Place the objects in eggcups at one end of the egg carton, making sure there are even numbers in each eggcup.
Two preschoolers can play the game at a time. Each child takes a set of chopsticks. When both are ready, they race each other to see who can move the objects from one end of the egg carton to the other first. Have the winner play another child.