Tension Gate Stick Pull
Purpose
This activity is a fun way to give your child's hands a heavy work out. It is designed to build the small muscles in the hand, which are called the intrinsic muscles. Strong intrinsic muscles are vital for efficient control when writing, coloring, and managing clothing fasteners. The strong pulling action provides proprioceptive input. This sensory input helps your child understand how much force they need to use. Using two hands together (one to stabilize the container and one to pull) improves bilateral coordination skills. This push-pull resistance system helps stabilize the shoulder and arm (proximal stability). This is important for precise hand movements later on.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Adult Prep: Use the scissors to cut a 3-inch wide slot into the container lid. Make sure this slot is wide enough for the craft stick to pass through easily.
- Adult Prep: Tightly crisscross pieces of yarn over this slot. Secure the ends of the yarn firmly onto the underside of the lid using masking tape. The yarn should create a dense, resistant ‘gate.’
- Press a large lump of firm playdough into the bottom of the container base to create a heavy anchor.
- Help your child push one craft stick deep into the playdough until it stands upright and feels stable.
- Put the container lid on the base. Push the standing stick until its top end is firmly jammed against the tight yarn gate. Feel the resistance!
- Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to prevent it from tipping during the pull.
- Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to grab the exposed tip of the stick. Pull the stick straight up and out through the resistant yarn gate.
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended.
