Pocket Post Office
Purpose
This playful activity targets the small muscles in the hands that your child uses for everyday tasks like zipping clothes or holding a pencil. Pushing the craft sticks into the resistant playdough provides great proprioceptive input, strengthening the arches of the hands. Transferring the small pom-poms requires precise control and dexterity (pincer grasp). The child must also use their helper hand to stabilize the container, which builds proximal stability needed for focusing on fine motor tasks. It’s a fun way to practice control and aim.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Roll the playdough into a thick, flat disc. Press it firmly into the bottom of the plastic container to create a stable base.
- Stand 6 to 8 craft sticks up vertically by pushing them deep into the playdough base. Arrange the sticks close together to create narrow ‘pockets’ between them (these are the mail slots).
- Put the pom-poms (the ‘mail’) into a small bowl and place them next to the container.
- Use your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) or a pair of tongs to pick up one piece of mail at a time.
- Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Carefully aim the mail into one of the narrow pockets between the sticks.
- Use a strong, controlled push to send the mail deep into the playdough pocket. Repeat this until all the pockets are full!
Safety Tip:
Pom-poms and craft sticks are small objects. Maintain constant adult supervision during this activity, as these materials pose a choking hazard for children under five.
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