Make a Button Board

It is easier to learn how to open and close buttons using a board rather than on your clothing. For one thing, the child is often in a hurry to button up a sweater and needs to get it done quickly in order to go out and play. It is also easier to learn how to manipulate buttons when they are in front of you and not on your body.

This board makes it easy to practice the button manipulation six times. Start out first teaching the child how to remove what I will call the "hole in fabric". It is more challenging to attach it back onto the buttons. Here is how I made this buttoning board:

• Cut the six pink plastic circles out of a laundry detergent bottle.
• Punch two holes in each plastic piece
• Sew the pink buttons to a large piece of blue fabric.
• Cut a round piece of fabric and cut a hole in the center. Reinforce the sides with duct tape.
• Wrap the large fabric (here it is blue) around a sturdy piece of cardboard. Sew or tape the fabric in place on the back of the cardboard.

Teach children how to work in the left to right and top to bottom direction while either attaching or removing the "hole in fabric" pieces.
I plan on using the board during a hippotherapy session. I will ask the children to remove the "hole in fabric" pieces and then insert them in a basket.

RecyclingOT.com
Source: Fun Activities that Develop Buttoning Skills by RecyclingOT on Rumble

This buttoning board involves attaching plush, soft strips of fleece with 3 button holes cut into them. Again it is easier to remove them than attach. Some children or clients with developmental disabilities may enjoy color matching the strips. However, everyone will enjoy the tactile, sensory experience.

Source: Sensory Buttoning Board by RecyclingOT