Putty Piston Push
Purpose
This activity provides a powerful sensory workout for the small muscles in your child's hands. Pushing the sticks into the resistant putty offers deep pressure input (proprioception). This sensory feedback helps strengthen the muscles needed for coloring and holding a pencil. Loading the tiny beads onto the stick tip requires excellent pincer grasp and careful eye-hand coordination. Stabilizing the container with the helper hand also builds core and shoulder stability. This combination of strong pushing and fine manipulation improves overall control and readiness for school tasks.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Press a large lump of Theraputty (or stiff playdough) firmly into the bottom of the Plastic Container or lid to create a stable, resistant base.
- Place the small Beads and Craft Sticks in separate piles next to the container. Ask your child to sit stably at the work area.
- Challenge the child to use their non-dominant hand to firmly hold the container steady on the table.
- Pick up one craft stick. Use a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to balance one small bead onto the end of the stick.
- Aim the loaded stick at the putty. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick deep into the resistant base, ‘planting’ the bead.
- Repeat this action until the entire putty base is filled with sticks. Encourage maximum pushing effort for heavy work input!
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and Theraputty/Playdough are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.
