Resistant Card Weave Pull
Purpose
This activity is designed to provide excellent proprioceptive input (heavy work) to the hands and fingers. The forceful pulling against the resistant tape and paper fibers strengthens your child's grasp and intrinsic hand muscles. It also focuses heavily on proximal stability, requiring one hand to firmly stabilize the woven piece while the other performs the strong work of pulling. This bilateral coordination is essential for mastering self-care skills and efficient desk work.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Ask an adult to cut 8 to 10 index cards into thick, uniform strips (about 1 inch wide).
- Weave the strips together tightly in an over-under checkerboard pattern to create a square ‘mat’.
- An adult should securely wrap masking tape around the entire perimeter of the woven square. Wrap the tape tightly to keep the weave stable and add resistance.
- Place the finished woven card square flat on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the square firmly steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
- Encourage your child to use their working hand to grasp the edge of one woven strip and pull it straight out of the resistant tape frame.
- The pulling requires strong, controlled force. Continue pulling the strips free until the entire woven piece has been unraveled. Drop the rescued strips into the container.
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Adults should handle the scissors during preparation. Ensure the child remains seated stably when performing the strong pulling motions.
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