Stick Drop Loader
Purpose
This activity challenges the tiny muscles in the hands and fingers. Loading the pom-pom onto the stick improves pincer control and in-hand manipulation. Pushing the stick through the stiff cardboard slot gives your child strong proprioceptive feedback. This feedback helps them learn to grade their force. Holding the cardboard steady with the other hand works on bilateral coordination and proximal stability. This builds a strong base for future tasks like writing and cutting.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Ask an adult to cut a small, sturdy rectangle from the cardboard. Use scissors to cut 4 to 6 very tight, narrow slits (about 1 inch long) across the cardboard surface.
- Place the cardboard target vertically against a wall or laid flat on the table. Place the pom-poms and craft sticks nearby.
- Challenge your child to pick up one pom-pom using only their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
- Carefully hold the pom-pom and push one end of the craft stick into it until the pom-pom is firmly loaded onto the tip of the stick. This is tricky!
- Hold the cardboard steady with the helper hand. Use the dominant hand to aim and push the loaded craft stick straight through the resistant slot.
- The goal is to feel the push and send the loaded stick completely inside the target. Repeat until all the slots are full.
Safety Tip:
Craft sticks are small and pom-poms are choking hazards. Constant, direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity.
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