Beads - OTPlan

Sticky Sponge Dot Press

Steps:

Place the thick sponge securely inside the plastic container to keep it stable.
Peel the backing off the small sticky Velcro dots. Press them firmly onto the top surface of the sponge.
Pour the small beads or buttons into a separate small pile next to the sponge.
Ask your child to hold the container steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base.
Use their working hand to pick up one bead using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Aim the bead at one of the Velcro targets. Use a strong, controlled press to stick the bead onto the rough Velcro dot.
Repeat the pressing action until all the Velcro dots are successfully covered in colorful beads.

Safety Tip:
Small beads and Velcro pieces are potential choking hazards. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure all materials are collected and stored safely after play.

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Steps:

Fill the container with water and soak the sponge fully. Wring it out hard so it is damp and dense, then press it firmly back into the container base.
Adult Prep: Tie one bead securely onto the end of a 12-inch piece of yarn. Tie the opposite end of the yarn onto the middle of one craft stick.
Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
Using the working hand, aim the craft stick tip at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick and the attached yarn/bead completely through the resistant sponge.
Pull the stick back out, feeling the resistance and drag of the yarn as it comes through the wet sponge. Repeat this push and pull action until your child tires.

Safety Tip:
Beads and yarn are small materials. Constant, direct adult supervision is required to ensure these items are not ingested, as they pose a choking hazard.

Weighted Clip Tower Build

Steps:

Press a large lump of playdough firmly into the bottom of the container to create a stable, resistant base.
Ask your child to push 6 to 8 craft sticks vertically into the playdough base. Ensure they stand up straight like towers.
Take one clothespin. Use a strong squeeze to clip one bead securely onto the end of the clothespin. This is your weighted clip!
Challenge your child to hold the container steady with their helper hand to keep the towers from moving.
Using their dominant hand, squeeze the weighted clothespin open. Carefully clip the entire unit firmly onto one of the standing craft sticks.
Repeat the squeezing and clipping action until all the sticks are covered in colorful, weighted clips. Try removing them and repeating the process!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and playdough are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are kept away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Putty Piston Push

Steps:

Press a large lump of Theraputty (or stiff playdough) firmly into the bottom of the Plastic Container or lid to create a stable, resistant base.
Place the small Beads and Craft Sticks in separate piles next to the container. Ask your child to sit stably at the work area.
Challenge the child to use their non-dominant hand to firmly hold the container steady on the table.
Pick up one craft stick. Use a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to balance one small bead onto the end of the stick.
Aim the loaded stick at the putty. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick deep into the resistant base, ‘planting’ the bead.
Repeat this action until the entire putty base is filled with sticks. Encourage maximum pushing effort for heavy work input!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and Theraputty/Playdough are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Foil Push Bead Garden

Steps:

Place the Aluminium Foil Pan flat on the table. Use markers to draw a few small dots randomly on the pan’s bottom surface. These dots are your targets.
Set the pile of Beads and Golf Ball Tees next to the pan in a Plastic Container.
Hold the pan firmly with your helper hand. Pick up one Golf Ball Tee using a pincer grasp.
Pick up one bead and carefully balance it on the narrow end of the Golf Ball Tee.
Aim the tee and bead toward a marker dot. Use a strong, steady push to pierce the foil and drop the bead inside the pan.
Repeat this action until all the target dots have a bead successfully ‘planted’ through the foil.

Safety Tip:
Beads and golf tees are small, hard objects. They pose a choking hazard for children under five. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity.