For a long time, the preschool searched in vain for someone who could help children with fine motor skill difficulties obtain suitable aids for everyday activities. It finally found a solution in the 3D printing department at CXI TUL, where special colorful aids were created, designed precisely according to what the children actually need in their daily lives.
Without such aids, even routine activities are much more difficult for some children than they might seem. They have trouble holding a pencil, struggle to control their hand while drawing or writing, and may also have difficulty handling small objects that others take for granted. Each such task requires more concentration, time, and energy, which can lead to frustration, faster fatigue, and less independence in daily activities.
“Assistive devices don’t just help children practice specific skills or develop independence. Their impact on the child’s psyche is also very important. Children suddenly experience the feeling that they can do something on their own. This gives them a sense of accomplishment and boosts their self-confidence, which is truly priceless,” says Markéta Veselá, a special education teacher and rehabilitation specialist at a Liberec preschool focused on children with special needs.
Seeking a Solution That Works
That is precisely why Principal Lenka Pánková, together with Markéta Veselá, decided to find new aids. However, they encountered a lack of understanding. It wasn’t until the kindergarten’s request reached CXI TUL—that is, people who decided this was exactly the kind of thing that simply had to be done.
Markéta Veselá described in detail to the 3D printing team the obstacles the children face during everyday activities and what could make their work easier. The discussion focused on holding a pencil, proper grip, and handling simple objects—things that most children take for granted but that present a daily challenge here. The preschool also drew inspiration from its own research. As a result, various attachments, grips, and other simple aids found online appeared on the table.
Functionality Meets Playfulness
But the new aids weren’t meant to be merely functional. They were also meant to entice the children to use them. The original aids the school had been using were already chipped and didn’t look very inviting. The new ones were supposed to be different: colorful, pleasing to the eye, and playful.
“Color and playfulness play a surprisingly big role. The aids naturally attract the children. They want to explore them, touch them, and choose colors and materials. This makes them much more motivated to use them. Activities that were previously unpopular or challenging for them gradually become more natural and sometimes even sought after,” explains Markéta Veselá.
Some of the new elements are designed to be worn on the hand or palm. This is precisely what can help children when they are unable to grasp an object firmly on their own. These are small details that may not seem revolutionary from the outside, but in a child’s actual life, they can make a huge difference . Less frustration. Greater independence. A better chance to participate in activities that others take for granted.
Other children were also intrigued
According to Markéta Veselá, another major benefit of the new aids is their versatility. “It’s not just a pencil holder; we can also insert a paintbrush, a marker, or even a spoon into it,” she adds.
According to her, the change is also evident in daily work with the children. They return more willingly to activities that were previously challenging for them, stay engaged longer, and are more eager to try new things. According to Veselá, appropriate support also naturally helps improve their skills.
When using the aids in practice, the preschool was also surprised that they didn’t just appeal to the children for whom they were originally intended. Other children pick them up as well, show them to one another, notice the details, and choose “their favorite.”
According to Markéta Veselá, this is precisely what helps create a naturally inclusive environment. “Thanks to these tools, children work together with others, feel fully valued, and this naturally fosters the inclusive environment we dream of not only in school but throughout society,” she concludes.
Even a small aid can have a big impact: helping a child master a movement that was still too difficult for them just yesterday.