Punch It

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 5 to 10 minutes
Setup:: 1 minute
Where:: Table

Why it helps

Squeezing a hole punch builds the small hand muscles that open and close scissors. The thumb and fingers press toward each other, the same move your child uses to cut, use tongs or work a spray bottle. Choking risk: paper dots from the hole punch can be a choking hazard. Stay within arm's reach, and keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths.

Steps

Give your child a single hole punch and a few index cards or strips of construction paper.
Show your child how to slide the edge of a card into the slot of the punch until it stops.
Ask your child to squeeze the handle all the way down to make a hole.
Let your child punch holes anywhere along the edges, as many as they like.
Try squeezing with the thumb and pointer finger, then with the thumb and middle finger.
Hold the card up to a window and look at the pattern of holes together.

Safety tip: Stay close while your child punches. The paper dots are tiny, so empty the punch into the trash when you finish and keep the dots away from mouths.

Make it easier

Use a hole punch with long handles, which takes less squeezing.
Hold the card in the slot for your child so they can focus on the squeeze.
Start with thin paper, then move to index cards.

Make it harder

Draw dots near the edge and ask your child to punch right on each dot.
Punch a hole in each corner of the card.
Use a shaped punch, like a star or a heart, which takes a stronger squeeze.

What to watch for

Notice whether your child squeezes with one hand or needs both hands on the punch.
Watch how far your child slides the paper in before squeezing.
See if the hand tires quickly. Short breaks between cards can help.