Visual Motor Integration Eye-Hand Coordination

What is it? Using the information received through visual input to coordinate with motor skills in order to control the hands in functional tasks (The OT Toolbox, 2018).  

Why is it important? Eye-hand coordination is a skill necessary for occupations throughout the life such as: 

• Activities of daily living (feeding, dressing, grooming, bathing, functional mobility, toileting)
• Driving 
• Meal preparation 
• Academic performance (writing, cutting, locker routine) 
• Job performance 
• Play and leisure activities (sports, games) 
• Picking up and handling objects

5 activities to try at home: 

1. Playing catch with a ball. 

Tip: You can also roll the ball if catching in the air is too challenging! 

2. Threading a bracelet/necklace. 

Tip: Ask about the just-right challenge for your child! 

3. Putting together puzzles. 

4. Balloon batting- keeping the balloon in the air. 

Tip-See how long you can keep the balloon in the air without letting it fall. 

5. Coloring inside the lines of a coloring book. 

 References:

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2014). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (3rd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(Suppl. 1), S1-S48. 

The OT Toolbox. (2018). Visual-motor skills. Retrieved from http://www.theottoolbox.com/p/visual-motor-skills.html