Tension Track Push
Purpose
This fun activity is designed to strengthen your child's hand and finger muscles. Pushing the small beans under the tight pipe cleaner bands provides heavy work input. This strong pressure input helps improve body awareness and focus. Using the craft stick requires a functional grasp, similar to holding a pencil. The activity also helps the two hands work together as a team. One hand stabilizes the board, while the other performs the precise pushing action. This builds coordination for future tasks like writing and cutting.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Twist three pipe cleaners together tightly to create 4-5 thick, stiff ‘resistance bands.’
- Stretch and secure these bands tightly across the sturdy cardboard base using masking tape underneath.
- The bands should be spaced out to create narrow tracks for the beans.
- Place the beans and craft sticks in the container. Ask the child to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
- Pick up one bean using a neat pincer grasp. Load it onto the tip of the craft stick.
- Aim the loaded stick at the cardboard track between two tight bands.
- Use a strong, controlled push to slide the bean under the taut pipe cleaner band.
- Continue pushing the bean along the track until it reaches the end. Repeat until all tracks are filled with beans.
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beans, pipe cleaners, and small cardboard pieces are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.
