Stick Target Launch
- Play time:
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Setup:
- 5 minutes
- Where:
- Table
Why it helps
This fun game strengthens the intrinsic muscles of the hand. We use these small muscles for tasks like cutting, buttoning, and holding a pencil. Flicking the craft stick encourages isolated finger movement, specifically training the index finger. Your child must grade the force they use. Stabilizing the box with the helper hand builds crucial bilateral coordination and proximal stability at the wrist and forearm. This practice prepares their hands for complex school tasks.
Steps
- Set up the launcher: Use masking tape to secure one end of a craft stick firmly onto the top edge of a small box. Leave the majority of the stick sticking out like a lever.
- Create the target zone by using masking tape to mark a square or circle on the construction paper. Place the paper a short distance from the launch box.
- Load the launcher by placing a pom-pom near the free end of the craft stick. Use a precise pincer grasp to place it gently.
- Ask your child to hold the box steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to provide stability for the launch.
- Challenge them to use their dominant hand's index finger to flick the end of the craft stick, aiming to launch the pom-pom onto the target.
Safety tip: Always supervise this activity closely. Pom-poms are small and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all small pieces are collected after play.
Need personalized support?
While these activities are great for home practice, nothing replaces the guidance of a licensed therapist. If you are in Irvine, CA or the Orange County area and have concerns about your child's Bilateral Hand Use, we invite you to connect with us.
Contact Tumble N' Dots Therapy →These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.
