Sticky Sludge Squeeze

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5)
Play time:: 10 to 15 minutes
Setup:: 5 minutes
Where:: Wall or easel

Why it helps

Squeezing and releasing the eyedropper bulb works the small muscles of the thumb and fingers, the same muscles used to hold a pencil. Working on paper taped to a wall invites a wrist that bends slightly back, a strong position for drawing. Aiming each drop at a small tape target builds eye-hand coordination and careful control of how hard to squeeze.

Steps

Before play, stir a handful of oats into a container of warm water and let it sit for 10 minutes. Your child can help stir.
Scoop out the soggy oats with your hand, squeeze them over the container, and throw them away. The cloudy, slippery oat water left behind is the sludge.
Tape the construction paper to a wall or door at your child's chest height. Spread newspaper on the floor below to catch drips.
Tear off several pieces of masking tape and stick them on the paper in a simple shape or path. These are the targets.
Show your child how to squeeze the eyedropper bulb, dip the tip in the oat water, and let go to fill it.
Ask your child to steady the paper with the helper hand, aim the dropper at a tape target, and squeeze slowly to let the sludge out.
Keep going until every piece of tape has been hit. Wipe up any drips when you are done.

Safety tip: Use a plastic eyedropper, not glass, and keep squirts aimed at the paper and away from eyes. Wipe up drips right away so the floor does not get slippery.

Make it easier

Add a little more water to the oat water so it is thinner and easier to draw up.
Use a small squeeze bottle instead of an eyedropper so the whole hand can help squeeze.
Make the tape targets big, like wide strips, so they are easier to hit.

Make it harder

Shape the tape into a letter or number and cover every part of it.
Place some targets higher so your child reaches up while squeezing.
Put exactly one drop on each piece of tape before moving to the next.

What to watch for

Notice how your child holds the dropper at the wall. A wrist bent slightly back is a strong working position.
Watch how your child squeezes. A firm squeeze draws the oat water up, and a slow, gentle squeeze lets out one drop at a time.
If the slimy oat water is unpleasant, use plain or colored water instead and keep the tape targets.

Where this helps in daily life

Squeezing against resistance with the hand raised builds the grip and wrist position kids use to squeeze glue and toothpaste, and to draw at an easel or a whiteboard.

These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.