The Styrofoam Star Map
Purpose
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!
Activity Steps
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.
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