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It’s hard to think of an activity we do in our everyday lives that doesn’t involve the use of our hands. 
Due to the frequency in which we use our fingers, weak finger strength can significantly decrease one’s quality of life. It can make performing daily activities like opening a door or holding a toothbrush difficult.
Hand and finger strength is important for anyone, especially children whose strength is still developing. TheraPutty® is a fun, easy, and effective way to work on your finger strength and dexterity.
Our friends at Lady Lilith have put together some TheraPutty® exercises that we have summarized below.
TheraPutty® Quality
TheraPutty® comes in 6 different colors, each representing a different resistance level. The colors progress from tan being the easiest resistance and black the hardest. This is particularly useful for young children to understand, as they can see which color they need to progress to.
The useful life of TheraPutty® is quite long because the product doesn’t dry out. If a child leaves the putty out, it will feel exactly the same the next time they pick it up. When using TheraPutty®, it doesn’t crumble or fall apart. This is particularly useful for squeezing exercises, as the product will maintain its full effectiveness.
Exercises
Before you begin, be sure to choose the right color TheraPutty® and exercise based on the child’s skill. Every child will have different strengths and skills that need to be accounted for. The TheraPutty® exercises below should be personalized, easy to learn, and fun.
While these exercises are targeted toward children, anyone can perform them with the help of a hand therapist or doctor.
- Bead Sorting
Mix beads in a ball of putty and direct the child to find them and pull them out, one at a time. Different size and color beads can help to further stimulate and engage the child. For more mature patients, beads can be switched out for dry beans.
- Squeezing
Roll the putty into a ball and have the children hold it in the palm of their hands. Direct them to squeeze it flat and challenge them to do so using all 5 fingers at once. This exercise can be combined with the patients rolling the putty into a ball, then squeezing it and repeating.
- Pushing
Put the TheraPutty® on a flat surface and have the children push down on it until it is flat. Instruct them to use different fingers and keep them as straight as possible. 
- Rolling
Have the patients use even pressure and roll the putty into a log shape. Alternate between them rolling the putty on a table and in between their two hands. 
- Pinch and Pull
Build finger strength and grasp strength by pulling the putty with two fingers. Encourage the patient to use different finger combinations to work on the dexterity of all fingers. 
TheraPutty® exercises are a fun and easy way to build finger dexterity and strength. Children will be entertained and it’ll feel like play for them, rather than work. Encourage them to progress through the colors and further strengthen their fingers with each passing resistance level.
Contact us today for information on TheraPutty® and other finger strengthening products.
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