Supine Tape Rescue
- Play time:
- 5 to 10 minutes
- Setup:
- 10 minutes
- Where:
- Floor
Why it helps
This activity is fantastic for building shoulder strength and stability. By lying on their back and reaching up, your child is working against gravity. This helps prepare their tiny muscles for bigger tasks like writing and drawing. It also improves their ability to coordinate what they see with how they move their hands. Plus, it’s a fun way to explore different textures like feathers or ribbons!
Steps
- Place two sturdy boxes about two feet apart on a carpeted floor.
- Stretch several long strips of masking tape between the boxes with the sticky side facing down toward the floor.
- Press lightweight treasures like ribbons, feathers, and paper clips onto the sticky tape bridge.
- Ask your child to lie on their back on the floor between the two boxes, looking up at the tape.
- Encourage them to reach up with one hand to peel a treasure off the tape.
- Challenge them to use their other hand to hold a basket as they rescue all the treasures!
Safety tip: Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put any small items like paper clips in their mouth.
Make it easier
- Skip the paper clips and use big, light treasures like ribbons, feathers, and paper shapes.
- Use shorter boxes so the tape hangs closer to your child's hands.
- Press the treasures on lightly so they peel off with a small tug.
Make it harder
- Use taller boxes so your child reaches higher with straight arms.
- Ask for treasures by color or type, like all the feathers first.
- Ask your child to stick each treasure back on the tape before rescuing the next one.
What to watch for
- Notice whether your child can hold the arm up steadily or it drops quickly, and offer short rests.
- Watch whether the other hand keeps hold of the basket or lets it go.
- If lying on the back feels uncomfortable, try sitting under a table with treasures taped to the underside.
Where this helps in daily life
Reaching up and holding the arm steady builds the shoulder strength kids use to wash and brush their hair and reach up to a high shelf.
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 Eye-Hand Coordination, 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.
