Hand Hero Session Guide Therapy Facilitator Guide
Hand Hero Session Protocol
Target: Ages 5–9
Session Length: 35–45 min
1. Palmar Strength
Strengthen thenar eminence, palmar arches, and intrinsic flexors through progressive resistive medium.
2. Pincer & Web Space
Maintain open circular thumb-index web space while isolating radial digits from ulnar stabilizing fingers.
3. Pencil Deceleration
Develop distal interphalangeal control, precision braking at target boundaries, and regulated downward pressure.
Session Kit & Materials
Therapy putty (yellow/red medium-soft) or firm play dough
Standard wooden spring clothespins (4–6 per student)
Tweezers / child tongs & mini craft pom-poms (1/2 inch)
Short triangular pencil or broken golf pencil (encourages tripod)
Small marble or eraser to tuck in ulnar ring/pinky fingers
Critical Ergonomic Postures
Wrist Extension (20°–30°): Stabilizes wrist against desktop so finger flexors generate maximum force.
Open Web Space: Thumb pad opposes index pad creating an open "O" loop without collapse.
Ulnar Stabilization: 4th and 5th digits flexed into palm to provide a sturdy base of support.
Phase 1 & 2 Execution Steps Approx. 20 Minutes
00–08m
Phase 1: Hand Activation & Finger Warm-Ups
Warm up joint proprioceptors: Perform "Spider Push-ups" on desk surface (fingertip arches), "Crab Pinches" (rapid index-thumb snap), and "Piano Taps" isolating each digit from pinky to thumb. Prompt child: "Wake up the hand engine!"
08–22m
Phase 2: Hand Strength & Resistance Circuit (Activity Mat)
Transition to the Hand Strength Circuit Activity . (1) Putty/Dough Roll: Form a pencil-thick rope using bilateral palm pressure. (2) Pinch Volcano: Pinch along dough snake using only pads of index and thumb (pincer grip). (3) Clothespin Clip: Open clothespins against resistance and attach to target zones on mat border. (4) Bead/Pom-pom Extraction: Child uses tweezers to rescue objects buried in putty.
Therapist Checkpoint: Ensure the child is not hyperextending the index distal interphalangeal joint (collapsing the finger joint). Encourage a soft curved fingertip posture.
Hand Hero Session Protocol • Clinical Guide Page 1 of 2 (Continued on next page)
Therapy Facilitator Guide
Phase 3–4 & Clinical Adjustments
Intervention Toolkit
Phase 3 & 4 Execution Steps Approx. 20 Minutes
22–37m
Phase 3: Pencil Power Quest (Pencil Control Worksheet)
Seat student upright with feet flat and forearm anchored on table. Provide short pencil with triangular grip if needed. (1) Path Navigation: Trace between narrow road borders without crashing into guardrails. (2) Deceleration Stops: Must brake cleanly on red dot markers without scribbling past the stop line. (3) Micro-Mazes: Small localized wrist/finger movements rather than full arm sweeping.
37–45m
Phase 4: Progress Screener & Finger Release Cool-Down
Administer the 3-minute mini test on the Fine Motor Progress Check . Score grasp maturity, endurance, line deviation, and pressure. Conclude with calming finger stretches: "Starfish Hand Openings" and "Thumb Hugs" to release muscular tension.
Tiered Clinical Modifications
Low Muscle Tone
• Use slant board (20° incline) to automatically foster wrist extension.
• Start with softer yellow putty to prevent early palmar fatigue.
• Use weighted pencil sleeve or vibration pen for tactile feedback.
Excessive Pressure
• Place sheet over craft foam or mousepad; teach child "don't puncture paper".
• Practice with mechanical pencil (0.5mm lead breaks if pressed too hard).
• Incorporate finger squeeze-release pauses every 2 minutes.
Fisted / Immature Grip
• Give student a marble or small sponge to squeeze with ring + pinky fingers.
• Shorten pencil to 2 inches (forces thumb-index-middle finger placement).
• Cue "Alligator Jaw" (open thumb and index finger like teeth).
Red Flags & Observations To Document
• Tremor / Shakiness: Note if tremor occurs at rest (resting) or during targeted movement (intention tremor).
• Associated Movements: Tongue protrusion, foot twisting, or contralateral hand mirroring indicate motor overflow.
• Rapid Shaking / Rest Breaks: Shaking hands out after 30 seconds signals severe intrinsic endurance deficit.
• Whole-Arm Movement: Child locks wrist and shoulder moves the pencil across page rather than isolated finger motion.
Hand Hero Session Protocol • Clinical Guide Page 2 of 2 • Ready for Implementation
Finger Gym Slides Finger Gym Daily Workout
Power Up Mode
HAND HERO TRAINING
Build super finger strength, rock-solid grip control, and champion pencil accuracy!
Warm-Up
Finger Aerobics
Strength Lab
Pinch & Squeeze
Pencil Power
Precision Quest
Step 1 • Hand Activation
Finger Aerobics Warm-Up
Wake Up The Muscles!
Spider Push-Ups
Place all 5 fingertips flat on desk like a spider. Push your palm down flat, then spring back up to a dome!
10 Reps
Crab Pinches
Touch thumb tip to index tip to make an open "O". Snap open and shut like hungry crab claws!
15 Snaps
Piano Taps
Tap each finger one at a time across your desk: Pinky, Ring, Middle, Index, Thumb! Fast and slow.
3 Rounds
Are your fingers warm and tingling? That means your hand engine is ON!
Ready for Weights!
Step 2 • Resistance Station
Hand Strength Challenges
Super Strength Lab
Mission A
The Dough Snake & Volcanoes
Roll your therapy putty into a long, thick snake using both palms flat.
Use your Pincher Beak (thumb + index only) to pinch craters down the whole snake!
Smash it into a ball and squeeze as hard as you can for 5 seconds!
Keep your thumb curved like a round mountain!
Mission B
Clothespin Rim Patrol
Hold the clothespin with thumb on top and index on bottom.
Pinch open wide against the spring resistance.
Clip all 6 pins onto the rim of your activity card or cup!
Tuck your pinky & ring fingers into your palm!
Switch to your non-dominant hand for bonus strength points!
Step 3 • Grip Alignment
The Dynamic Tripod Rocket Grip
Ergonomic Power
1
Alligator Pinch
Pinch the pencil right above the sharpened tip with thumb pad and index finger pad.
Tip: Open "O" web space!
2
Pillow Rest
Rest the shaft of the pencil gently on the side pillow of your middle fingernail.
Hand Strength Circuit Activity Strength & Resistance Station
Hand Strength Circuit Mat
Part 1: Putty Lab
Hero Name:
Date:
Hand: Right [ ] Left [ ]
1
The Snake Roll & Pinch Volcano Track
Thumb + Index Pincer
Roll your therapy putty or play dough with both palms until it stretches across the ruler track below. Then, use only your thumb and pointer finger to squeeze 8 volcano craters along the snake!
Start Point ◀ Roll Putty Snake Here (Length Goal: 8 Craters) ▶ Finish Point
#1 Pinch
#2 Pinch
#3 Pinch
#4 Pinch
#5 Pinch
#6 Pinch
#7 Pinch
#8 Pinch
Therapy Prompt: Check that the thumb makes a rounded "C" or "O" shape with no collapsed joint! Completed: [ ]
2
Palm Power Smash
Roll putty into a ball. Place in target ring below. Squeeze & smash with heel of your palm until it fills the circle!
Smash Zone Flatten putty here
Target: Hold hard press for 5 full seconds!
3
Treasure Rescue Dig
5 hidden beads or pennies are buried in your putty. Dig them out using your thumb and index fingers, placing one on each star!
Treasure 1
Treasure 2
Treasure 3
Treasure 4
Treasure 5
Rule: No two-hand pulling! One hand only.
Strength Station Rating: How tired did your fingers feel?
Easy [ ] Just Right [ ] Super Hard [ ]
Hand Strength Circuit Mat • Tactile Stations Page 1 of 2
Tools & Resistance
Clothespin & Tweezer Arena
Part 2: Tool Mastery
4
Clothespin Perimeter Patrol
Grip Endurance
Take wooden spring clothespins. Squeeze firmly with your thumb and index finger to open the jaws wide, then clip onto each numbered target border below!
▲ CLIP #1
▲ CLIP #2
▲ CLIP #3
Perimeter Target Zone
Attach all 6 clothespins around this border without dropping any!
▼ CLIP #4
▼ CLIP #5
▼ CLIP #6
5
Tweezer Cargo Transfer
Graded Force
Squeeze child tweezers or tongs to pick up mini craft pom-poms or cotton balls. Transfer them safely into the matching holding pens below!
Depot A
Drop 2
Pencil Power Quest Worksheet Pencil Control Lab
Pencil Power Quest
Level 1: Precision Paths
Name:
Date:
Grip: Tripod [ ] Other [ ]
Hero Grip Reminder: Pinch near the tip • Rest wrist on table • Move fingers, not your shoulder! Go Slow!
1 The Narrowing River Roads (Smooth Curves)
Stay between the lines without touching boundaries
START Wide Canal Path (Continuous Wave) FINISH
START Narrow Rapids (Tight Controlled Curves) FINISH
2 Angular Pivot Track (Crisp Corners, No Rounding!)
Stop at each corner before changing direction
Castle Battlements (Right-Angle Turns) Trace the dashed path cleanly
Lightning Zigzags (Sharp Peak Deceleration) Touch each point, don't cut corners!
3 Traffic Light Deceleration (Speed & Stop Precision)
Start on Green • Brake exactly inside the Red Stop Circle!
GO Sprint A
Target Brake:
GO Sprint B
Target Brake:
GO Sprint C
Target Brake:
Pencil Power Quest Worksheet • Part 1 Page 1 of 2
Pencil Control Lab
Micro-Mazes & Target Control
Level 2: Advanced Precision
4 The Micro-Maze Labyrinth (Isolated Finger Movement)
No Arm Swinging! Keep Wrist Still
Navigate the pencil through this narrow alleyway from the Green Key to the Golden Trophy without touching any black walls!
IN WIN
5 Pencil Pressure Grader (Light, Medium, Firm)
Regulate your squeezing force
Shade inside each target ring with the exact pencil pressure listed. Notice how your finger muscles feel!
Whisper Light
Soft gray
Barely touch paper. Like a feather drifting.
Just Right (Medium)
Clean gray
Normal writing force. Clear and easy to read.
Firm & Dark
Dark solid
Solid mark, but don't tear paper or break lead!
Mission Wrap-Up: Did you keep your wrist anchored on the table?
Yes, always! [ ] Most of the time [ ] Need more practice [ ]
Pencil Power Quest Worksheet • Part 2 Page 2 of 2 • Ready for Printing
Fine Motor Progress Check Clinical Screener & Rubric
Fine Motor Progress Check
OT Assessment Metric
Student:
Date:
Evaluator:
1. Grasp Classification (Check Current Observed Level)
Developmental Progression
Palmar Supinate
Fisted grasp; movement originates at shoulder.
[ ] Level 1
Digital Pronate
Fingers point down shaft; wrist pronated / flat.
[ ] Level 2
Static Tripod / Quad
3–4 digits hold pencil; wrist moves as fixed unit.
[ ] Level 3
Dynamic Tripod
Open web space; isolated distal finger flexion.
[ ] Level 4 (Goal)
Hand Strength & Stamina
A. Pincer Force & Resistance 1 2 3 4
Can compress standard spring clothespin & pinch putty without collapsing the IP joint.
B. Endurance (Fatigue Latency) 1 2 3 4
Maintains active finger grasp for 5+ min before shaking out hand or demonstrating fatigue posture.
C. Wrist Extension & Anchor 1 2 3 4
Rests wrist edge securely on desktop with 20°–30° extension (no floating whole-arm posture).
Pencil Precision & Braking
D. Boundary Accuracy (Lines) 1 2 3 4
Keeps pencil tip within 2mm roadway borders without frequent boundary crashes or deviations.
E. Cornering & Directional Pivot 1 2 3 4
Executes crisp right-angles and zigzags; decelerates at corner vertex rather than rounding off.
F. Pressure Regulation 1 2 3 4
Modulates between light, medium, and firm strokes without snapping pencil leads or tearing paper.
Session Tracking & Score Summary
Scoring: 1 = Emerging • 2 = Inconsistent • 3 = Competent • 4 = Mastered
Assessment Area Session 1 (Base) Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Grasp Pattern Maturity (Level 1–4) / 4 / 4 / 4 / 4 Pinch & Palmar Resistance Force (A) / 4 / 4 / 4 / 4 Hand Endurance & Stability (B + C) / 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 Path Accuracy & Deceleration Braking (D + E) / 8 / 8 / 8 / 8
