Foam Corduroy Road Push
Purpose
This activity is excellent for strengthening the small muscles in your child's hands. It helps improve proximal stability, which means keeping the arm steady from the shoulder. Pushing the stiff pipe cleaners through the narrow foam tubes provides wonderful heavy work input. This deep pressure is often calming and helps a child sustain focus. The task also requires the child to use a strong, controlled pincer grasp. They practice precise aiming (eye-hand coordination) to successfully complete the task.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Adult Prep: Cut the Foam Sheet into several small strips (about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long). Roll each strip tightly into a narrow tube and secure the seam with masking tape.
- Use masking tape to secure these foam tubes vertically onto the piece of sturdy cardboard. Arrange them close together to look like a ‘corduroy road’.
- Cut the pipe cleaners into short, stiff 3-inch segments. Place these ‘cords’ in the plastic container.
- Challenge your child to hold the cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand. This provides stability for the pushing hand.
- Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to pick up one pipe cleaner cord.
- Aim the cord at the top opening of a foam tube. Push the pipe cleaner straight down until it travels completely through the resistant foam tube. Repeat until all the tubes are filled!
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Adults must handle the scissors for preparation. The short pipe cleaner pieces are small materials and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths.
