Clothespin Weight Tower
Purpose
This activity is a powerhouse for developing the small muscles inside your child's hand. These muscles, called intrinsic muscles, are essential for endurance needed for coloring, cutting, and writing. By squeezing the clothespins, your child practices a strong, resistive pincer grasp. Holding the foam sheet steady requires the helper hand to provide proximal stability. The extra weight from the pom-poms makes the hands work harder, which boosts overall hand strength and endurance.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Place the foam sheet flat on a stable table. Put the pom-poms and clothespins into the container nearby.
- Show your child how to use one hand to firmly hold the foam sheet steady on the table. This is the helper hand.
- Use the working hand to squeeze open one clothespin. Carefully clip one pom-pom securely inside the open pin.
- Clip the weighted clothespin firmly onto the edge of the foam sheet. Encourage placing the clips close together.
- Once all pom-poms are clipped on, challenge your child to carefully lift the foam sheet using their fingertips. Can they carry the sheet without dropping the weighted clips?
Safety Tip:
Clothespins and pom-poms are small items. Constant, direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity to prevent choking hazards.
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