Shredded Paper Glue Dot
Purpose
This fun activity is a fantastic workout for your child’s hands and fingers. The first step involves resistive tearing, which gives the hands important sensory feedback and builds foundational hand strength. This 'heavy work' prepares the tiny intrinsic muscles in the hands for more precise tasks. Next, using the tweezers demands high levels of pincer control and focus. This dual challenge supports the development of hand dexterity needed for managing small objects, holding a pencil, and performing self-help skills like buttoning or zipping.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Use a marker to draw 8-10 tiny target dots onto the sturdy cardboard base. Keep the dots small for a precision challenge.
- Take one index card. Use both hands together to rip the card into tiny, jagged pieces. Encourage strong, controlled pulls for heavy work input. Drop the scraps into the container.
- Pick up the glue bottle. Carefully squeeze a small, controlled dot of glue directly onto each marker target dot.
- Now, use the tweezers. Pinch one tiny paper scrap using a strong pincer grasp.
- Hold the cardboard steady with your helper hand. Aim the scrap at a wet glue dot and carefully press it down to secure it. Repeat until all dots are filled!
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small paper scraps and tweezers are used in this activity. These materials pose a choking hazard for young children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.
