Ribbon Resistance Unwind
Purpose
This fun activity targets the small muscles needed for future writing and self-care tasks. Unwinding the tightly secured ribbon provides powerful heavy work input to the fingers and hand arches. Holding the container steady with the helper hand builds crucial proximal stability in the arm and shoulder. It also helps your child develop motor control, practicing a sustained, controlled pull rather than a quick rip. This focused effort boosts hand dexterity and proprioceptive awareness.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Adult Prep: Cut several strips of ribbon (about 12 inches long). Secure one end of a ribbon strip firmly onto a craft stick using a small piece of masking tape.
- Adult Prep: Tightly wrap the ribbon all the way down the stick until it is completely covered. Secure the loose end of the ribbon/stick assembly firmly inside the plastic container with more masking tape (this anchors the stick).
- Have your child sit at a table and hold the plastic container steady with their helper hand to prevent it from sliding. This requires proximal stability.
- Challenge the child to use their working hand to pinch the exposed end of the ribbon. Encourage them to use a strong, controlled pull and unwind motion to free the ribbon from the stick.
- Once the ribbon is completely unwound, gently peel the starting tape off the stick and wrap a new ribbon tightly around the stick to play again.
Safety Tip:
Ribbon and small pieces of masking tape are small objects. Constant adult supervision is required to prevent choking hazards for children in this age group.
X
![]()
