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:

  Hand Eye Coordination

1. Playing catch with a ball.  Tip: You can also roll the ball if catching in the air is too challenging!

Hand Eye Coordination

2. Threading a bracelet/necklace.  Tip: Ask about the just-right challenge for your child!

  Eye Hand Coordination and Dr. Laura Mraz

3. Putting together puzzles. 

Hand Eye Coordination and Dr Laura Mraz

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.  Hand Eye Coordination and Dr Laura Mraz

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

Learn More About My Programs

Blue Bird Day is a rotational therapy program structured like a preschool or kindergarten, but instead of teachers all our staff are therapists! This program is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation, and learning for children ages 2-7 and helps provide children the tools they need to succeed in a traditional classroom.

Eyas Landing is an outpatient therapy clinic that provides services for children ages 0-21. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists provide ABA, developmental, occupational, physical, speech, nutrition and feeding therapy along with early intervention, social work, counseling, and neuropsychological testing at our West Loop clinic, in-home, at school, and virtually.

Merlin Day Academy is a therapeutic day school for children ages 6-14. Our proprietary model utilizes daily therapeutic and educational rotations to support children’s growth, learning, and their transition into the least restrictive environment possible.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!