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Hand in hand, fish championship
Fine motor skills
The "Hand in Hand - Fish Championship" method was developed with the aim of promoting the acquisition of fine motor skills in preschool and lower grade children, in a systematic and fun manner.
At the heart of the method is the image of the hand turning into a fish. There are several types of fish, each fish demonstrating a different manual skill. The acquisition of fish skills is carried out in a gradual manner according to an orderly developmental system.
The method guides the clinic's clinical thinking in identifying the child's developmental level and personal profile and in constructing an appropriate treatment plan. In addition, it includes a set of available and motivating treatment tools that assist in its implementation.
The method is based on up-to-date professional knowledge in the field of manual skills, along with strategies of play and motor learning. Its principles promote the development of many children in Israel, in educational and health settings, in regular and special education, and in groups and individually.
The method protocol was developed at the Hebrew University by Yonit Breuer under the supervision of Dr. Tal Mazor Kresanti and is currently in the research process.
Course for occupational therapists
Assessment and treatment of fine motor skill difficulties
In children aged 3-8
The course is offered through the Hebrew University School of Occupational Therapy. It includes one face-to-face meeting at the university and then online meetings via Zoom .
The principles of the method are taught and participants are trained in delivering the protocol. The course is suitable for occupational therapists with at least one year of experience working in the pediatric field.
Recommendations
"During my professional career, I searched a lot for a treatment method that would focus on clarity and practicality in the field of fine motor skills.
When I was exposed to the amazing method of the Fish Championship, I realized that this was it!
I use it in the field in individual and group therapies and see how much the children contribute, enjoy themselves, and improve!
The method upgraded my toolbox as an occupational therapist, was accurate, and gave me practical tools for assessing and treating fine motor skills.
She has a winning combination of professionalism and playfulness! Highly recommend!!!"
// Yahel Aviner, Occupational Therapist
"Yonit took such a gray area that is a daily part of our work as occupational therapists and breathed life into it and threw color into it."
After her course, treating children with fine motor difficulties became colorful and interesting , both for us and for the children.
"And most importantly, the treatment is professional and precise on several levels. Thank you very much!"
// Haliliya Yerushalmi, Occupational Therapist
"As a veteran occupational therapist who has delivered a variety of fine motor skills treatments,
I very quickly saw that there was nothing comparable to treatment using the Fish Championship method with the classic treatments I had undergone in the past.
The method has several notable advantages, the combination of all of them together results in impressive and exciting advances!
Even with children who have so far been less cooperative, children with significant manual difficulties, and even with children on the continuum.
On the one hand, the method is very engaging and motivating. The fish glove, the different fish, the song, the accumulation of points -
They are all very experiential and fun for children. Children connect to the work through imagination and creativity, and this way they learn new skills quickly and easily.
On the other hand, the method takes all the richness and variety of activities into an organized developmental framework.
And leads to the acquisition of all the functional components required to hold a pencil properly and perform daily manual activities.
The work is graded and divided so that it is very clear what needs to be worked on, both for the child and for me.
Using the method, it is possible to guide children, kindergarten teachers, and parents in a gradual, structured, and clear manner.
This allows you to continue to practice the skill with pleasure throughout the day in kindergarten and even at home!"
// Einat Miyuhas, Occupational Therapist
Worth reading
Parents and teachers often place too much emphasis on pre-writing activities for young preschoolers, when a small change in the use of materials and fine motor games will develop their overall hand function.
Myers, 2006
It is important to develop all aspects of hand function. Providing a rich variety of materials on which different manipulations can be performed will benefit all students, and will lead them towards developing pre-writing skills.
Benbow
It was found that therapists' use of play activities and interaction with other children are important predictors of fine motor skills at the end of treatment.
Case Smith & Exner, 2014; Myers, 2006
The developmental continuum guides the therapist in assessing hand function and fine motor skills, setting goals that reflect the next developmental stage, and selecting activities that are developmentally appropriate as well as for the intervention context (p.223)
Exner, 2014
A little about me...
Yonit Breuer, Occupational Therapist, MSc. OT PhD candidate at Ben Gurion University.
Treats and supervises occupational therapy teams in educational and health settings.
is on an ongoing journey to develop professional tools that will streamline the work of the Department of Fine Motor Skills.
The "Hand in Hand" project that I published in 2017 as part of my master's degree at the Hebrew University under the supervision of Dr. Tal Mazor Kresanti,
Focuses on making professional knowledge in the field of fine motor skills accessible, and providing activities for practice.
The project is widespread across the country and helps healers with many aspects of their work. Here is a link to the project.
But it didn't end there, or rather, it just began...
Following a move to the south of the country, I was exposed to a huge shortage of practicing healers in the periphery.
It pained me to see children not receiving timely treatment. This led me to look for ways to make developmental solutions available to as many children as possible at the same time.
Out of necessity came the solution, and the "Hand in Hand - Fish Championship" method emerged.
The method delves deeply into the components of manual function and thereby makes them accessible and organizes them into an orderly developmental framework, in accessible and enjoyable language.
This enables targeted and effective treatments, group transfer using a unique model, and efficient and effective guidance for parents and educational teams.
The method is in the research process and we will be happy to continue updating you with the results.
You are welcome to join us!