Feed Me

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5)
Play time:: 10 to 15 minutes
Setup:: 10 minutes
Where:: Table

Why it helps

Opening and closing tongs uses the same squeeze and release as scissors. Aiming each pom-pom through the mouth builds eye-hand coordination, and feeding a silly face keeps the practice fun. Choking risk: pom-poms 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, draw a big face on the lid of a shoe box, like an animal or a silly monster your child picks.
Cut out a wide open mouth, big enough for a pom-pom to fit through. This is an adult step.
Put the lid on the box and set the pom-poms and cotton balls in a pile in front of your child.
Show your child how to hold the tongs with the thumb, pointer and middle fingers.
Ask your child to pick up one pom-pom at a time and feed it to the hungry face.
Pretend the pom-poms are the face's favorite foods, like berries for a bear.
When the pile is gone, open the box, pour everything out and play again.

Safety tip: Stay close while your child plays. The pom-poms are pretend food, so remind your child they are not for eating and keep them away from mouths.

Make it easier

Use big cotton balls and large tongs.
Make the mouth extra wide.
Let your child pick up the pom-poms with fingers first, then try the tongs.

Make it harder

Use tweezers or small tongs and smaller pom-poms.
Call out a color and ask your child to feed only that color.
Make the mouth smaller so each pom-pom needs careful aim.

What to watch for

Notice which fingers your child uses to squeeze the tongs.
Watch whether your child opens the tongs just enough or very wide for each pom-pom.
See if your child turns the tongs to line up with the mouth.