Ribbon Twirl Spinner

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 10 to 15 minutes
Setup:: 10 minutes
Where:: Anywhere

Why it helps

Twisting the pencil back and forth works the forearm turning motion, palm up and palm down, that kids use for doorknobs and jar lids. Holding the handle with one hand while the other hand spins the plate builds two-handed teamwork. Watching the ribbons swirl out and settle gives your child something to follow with the eyes.

Steps

Before play, poke the pencil through the center of the paper plate and slide the plate up near the eraser end.
Wrap small pieces of masking tape around the pencil just above and below the plate so it stays put. Cover the pencil point with tape too.
Cut four or five ribbons, each about a foot long.
Ask your child to tape one end of each ribbon around the edge of the plate.
Show your child how to hold the pencil below the plate and twist it back and forth. Watch the ribbons swirl out like a twirling skirt.
Try fast twists, then slow ones. Fast twists make the ribbons fly out, and slow twists let them flutter and droop.
Let your child hold the pencil loosely in one hand and spin the plate with the other hand.
Switch hands and twirl the other way.

Safety tip: An adult pokes the hole and covers the pencil point with tape before play. Keep twirling ribbons away from faces, and put long ribbons away after play so they do not end up around necks.

Make it easier

Use three short ribbons instead of five long ones so they tangle less.
Hold the pencil for your child so they can use both hands to spin the plate.
Roll the pencil between both flat palms, which takes less wrist control than twisting with one hand.

Make it harder

Spin the spinner by rolling the pencil back and forth with the fingers of one hand.
Switch hands so the non-dominant hand does the spinning.
Count how many spins it takes before the ribbons fly straight out.

What to watch for

Notice whether the spinning comes from turning the forearm or from swinging the whole arm. Forearm turns are the skill being practiced.
Watch whether the holding hand stays steady while the other hand spins, or both hands move together.
If swishing ribbons near the face bother your child, hold the spinner lower or out at arm's length.