Shiny Foil Sticker Reach
- Play time:
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Setup:
- 5 minutes
- Where:
- Wall or easel
Why it helps
Crossing Midline is when we reach across the middle of our body to the other side. This is important for things like writing or putting on shoes. This activity uses a large, shiny surface to make it fun. Moving the arm across the body helps the two sides of the brain work together. It builds a foundation for hand dominance and coordination. Your child will love seeing the stickers pop against the silver foil. It is a playful way to practice a big motor skill without it feeling like work. Choking risk: stickers can be a choking hazard. Stay within arm's reach, and keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths.
Steps
- Before play, tape a large sheet of aluminum foil to a wall at your child's shoulder height.
- Draw a vertical line down the center of the foil with a marker.
- Draw three circles on the left side of the line and three on the right side.
- Have your child stand facing the center line of the foil.
- Ask your child to hold the sticker sheet in their left hand.
- Using their right hand, they peel a sticker from the sheet and reach across to place it in a circle on the left side of the foil.
- Switch hands so they hold the stickers in their right hand and use their left hand to reach across to the right side.
- Remind them to keep their feet still and their belly button pointing at the middle line.
Safety tip: Watch the edges of the foil as they can be sharp for little fingers. Always supervise your child while they play with stickers to prevent choking.
Make it easier
- Sit your child on a chair to focus only on arm movement
- Place the target circles closer to the center line
Make it harder
- Make the foil wider so they have to reach further to the sides
- Ask your child to match specific sticker colors to colored marker circles
What to watch for
- Notice if your child turns their whole body instead of reaching their arm across
- See if they try to switch the sticker to their other hand partway through the reach
- Observe if they prefer using one hand more than the other
Where this helps in daily life
Crossing the middle of the body helps with dressing, like pulling on a sleeve or zipping a coat. It is also a key skill for starting to write across a whole page.
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 Crossing Midline, 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.
