The Styrofoam Star Map
- Play time:
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Setup:
- 2 minutes
- Where:
- Table
Why it helps
This activity helps your child build the tiny muscles in their hands. By pushing the tees into the foam, they are working on hand strength. Balancing the beads on top requires a very steady hand and great focus. This is a fun way to practice for future skills like writing and using buttons. It also encourages midline crossing as they reach for stars across the board!
Steps
- Grab a flat block of Styrofoam and set it on the table.
- Use a marker to draw 8 small dots across the foam.
- Ask your child to pick up a golf ball tee using their pinching fingers.
- Have them push the pointy end of the tee straight into a dot.
- Repeat this until all the stars have a pillar standing up.
- Now, place a single bead on top of each golf ball tee.
- Ask them to move slowly so the beads stay on the pillars.
Safety tip: Adult supervision is required. Golf ball tees have pointed ends and beads are a choking hazard. Keep these materials away from small children and pets.
Make it easier
- Poke a starter hole at each dot with a pencil so the tee goes in with less pushing.
- Use large, round beads that rest in the cup of the tee instead of rolling off.
- Start with four dots instead of eight.
Make it harder
- Draw the dots in the shape of a real constellation, like the Big Dipper, and build that star map.
- Place the beads with tweezers instead of fingers.
- Spread the dots across a wide board and reach across the body with one hand for the stars on the far side.
What to watch for
- Notice how your child pushes the tee in. Pressing with the thumb on top, pinching while pushing, or using the palm each use force differently.
- Watch the wrist as your child pushes. A wrist tipped slightly back usually gives more power and control than one bent down.
- If the squeaky sound of the foam bothers your child, push the tees into a thick slab of playdough instead.
Where this helps in daily life
Pushing with the fingertips and setting tiny things down gently build the control kids use to poke a straw into a juice box, put candles on a cake, and push in pegs and puzzle pieces.
Need personalized support?
While these activities are great for home practice, nothing replaces the guidance of a licensed therapist. If you are in Irvine, CA or the Orange County area and have concerns about your child's Eye-Hand Coordination, we invite you to connect with us.
Contact Tumble N' Dots Therapy →These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.
