Banded Post Stretch
Purpose
This fun activity works on building hand and shoulder stability. Your child must use both hands together (bilateral coordination) to stretch the tight pipe cleaner rings. This strengthening provides great proprioceptive input, which is the feedback your child's body needs to understand how much force to use. Carefully placing the ring onto the narrow craft stick targets improves aim and fine motor control. Holding the container steady with their helper hand also strengthens the core muscles near their shoulder (proximal stability). This helps set the stage for better handwriting later on.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Adult Prep: Press a large lump of playdough firmly into the bottom of the plastic container to create a stable base.
- Adult Prep: Twist several pipe cleaners tightly into small, stiff rings or loops. These are your ‘bands’ that need stretching.
- Have your child insert 6 to 8 craft sticks vertically into the playdough base. Ensure they stand up straight and firmly.
- Challenge your child to pick up one pipe cleaner band. They must use both hands together to pull and stretch the band open.
- Hold the container steady with the non-dominant hand. Use the stretched band and aim it carefully onto the top of a standing craft stick.
- Continue stretching and placing the bands until every craft stick tower is ringed. Try placing multiple bands on one stick for a stack.
Safety Tip:
Pipe cleaners are small and pose a choking hazard. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child does not place materials near their mouth.
