Wet Paper Squeeze & Drop
Purpose
This activity is excellent for building hand strength. Tearing resistant newspaper requires strong bilateral hand use. Squeezing the wet paper provides intense proprioceptive feedback. This heavy work is calming and organizes the nervous system. Aiming the wet, dense paper balls into a narrow target improves eye-hand coordination. It helps develop the muscle power needed for skills like grasping toys and using scissors.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Tear the newspaper into small strips using both hands. Focus on strong, controlled pulls.
- Fill the bucket halfway with water. Submerge the newspaper strips until they are fully saturated and mushy.
- Grab a large handful of wet paper. Squeeze the paper tightly over the bucket to remove the water. Aim for maximum effort!
- Squeeze the remaining damp paper firmly into dense, hard balls (your ‘fortress rocks’).
- Place the empty plastic container target nearby. Hold the container steady with your helper hand.
- Use your working hand to aim and drop the wet paper ball precisely into the narrow target opening. Repeat until all rocks are delivered.
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure children do not place wet paper or small pieces of material in their mouths. This activity can be messy; choose a water-safe work area.
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