Ding Ding Ring: The Fun Way to Improve Fine Motor Skills
Individual finger movements are important because they are a foundational aspect of fine motor development, which involves the use of the small muscles in the hands and fingers to perform precise movements.
These movements are essential for performing everyday tasks such as writing, typing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.
Ding Ding Ring is a fun and engaging group activity to practice these small movements.
The objective of Ding Ding Ring is to use the bands to recreate the pattern from the card on your own hand(s). This game is great for working on spatial relations and fine motor skills, and it's perfect for children who need a little extra practice in these areas.
Ding Ding Ring bands are the small type hair bands that are commonly available everywhere. They fit snug enough not to fall off but are not tight, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods.
The pattern cards start easy and get more difficult as you progress. However, the cards are not numbered or colour-coded for difficulty, so you may want to sort through them ahead of time and stack them. You could also number them yourself for easier organization.
To play Ding Ding Ring, start by modelling how to put the elastics on your fingers. Let the child practice how to put it on one finger and to stretch it to two fingers. Suggest for 2-finger bands putting it on the longest finger first so it doesn't come off as you go to the shorter finger.
Start with the 1-finger band challenges before moving to the 2-finger challenges. Follow a card pattern and put the bands on your own hand.
Then show the individual two cards, one being the card you followed, and ask them to identify the card that matches your hand.
Keep adding cards to pick from as the individual improves. Try showing your hand backward, and see if they can still recognize the right card.
The copy cards are all indicated palms up and fitting the bands on the left hand. When palms are down they can be used for fitting on the right hand. I used a marking pen to draw on the cards indicating left or right, to make it easier for the kids to know which hand to use.
Use consistent positional language when working such as under, on top of, next to, to the right of, etc. Use a piece of white paper to cover the bands you are not to yet. Some children have trouble starting at the bottom and working up, so if you cover the upper bands, it is clearer where they should be working.
Put the bands on your own hand first and then ask the individual to put them on his hand in the same pattern.
It may be easier to work from a 3D pattern than a 2D pattern. Ask the individual to compare their hand to yours or the pattern card if they makes a mistake.
Can they find the mistake and fix it?
Ding Ding Ring can be a fun classroom activity because it is engaging, challenging, and helps develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness. It encourages problem-solving, concentration, and attention to detail.
Learners can work individually or in pairs, and the game can be adapted to various skill levels using the ideas as mentioned before. It also provides an opportunity for Learners to learn positional language and finger names.
Moreover, the game is simple to set up and It can be a great way to break up the routine of a lesson while still promoting learning and skill development.
Ding Ding Ring is a fun and effective way to improve fine motor skills in children. Whether you're a parent or a therapist, you'll love how easy it is to use and how much your child will enjoy playing it.