Beans - OTPlan

Tacky Track Bead Push

Steps:

First, draw a winding path or a thick circle onto the cardboard using a marker.
Use the glue bottle to carefully trace a thick, continuous line of liquid glue over the marked path. Controlled squeezing is key!
Immediately sprinkle a thick layer of dry beans onto the wet glue line. Press the beans down firmly and let the glue set for 5-10 minutes until it is very tacky, but not completely dry.
Place the cardboard on a table. Hold the cardboard firmly steady with your helper hand.
Pick up one small bead using a precise pincer grasp. Place the bead near the start of the tacky bean path.
Use the tip of a craft stick to push the bead along the resistant, sticky track. Use strong, sustained force to move the bead without lifting it.
Continue pushing the bead to the end of the path. Repeat the challenge by pushing more beads along the sticky line.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small beads and dry beans pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Tension Track Push

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.

Sticky Roller Texture Wall

Steps:

Tape a large piece of construction paper vertically onto a wall or sturdy door.
Use masking tape (sticky side OUT) to create a large shape or design on the paper.
Place the dry beans or corn kernels into the plastic container next to your child.
Encourage your child to pick up the beans one by one using a strong pincer grasp.
Firmly press the beans onto the exposed sticky tape until the design is completely covered.
Use the paper roll as a roller. Hold the roll tightly and press down hard onto the textured beans.
Roll the paper roll up and down, applying maximum force to press the items deeply into the sticky surface.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry beans and corn kernels are small, hard objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Sticky Bean Rescue

Steps:

Take a handful of Theraputty and hide the dry beans deep inside it. Mash the putty into a firm ball.
Press the putty firmly into the bottom of the plastic container. This keeps the sticky base steady for the rescue mission.
Pick up the tongs. Use them to carefully grip one bean at a time and pull it straight out of the sticky putty.
Transfer the rescued beans into a separate pile on the table. Count how many beans you saved!
If a bean is too deep or stubborn, use a craft stick to gently loosen it from the putty before trying again with the tongs.

Safety Tip:
Beans and Theraputty are small objects. Maintain constant adult supervision during this activity, as these materials pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child washes hands after using the putty.

Weighted Puck Push

Steps:

Prepare the ‘pucks’ by filling several small Ziplock Bags about 1/4 full with dry Beans or Rice. Seal them tightly.
Create a long ‘push stick’ by taping two Paper Rolls together end-to-end with Masking Tape to form a hockey stick.
Use Construction Paper and Masking Tape to create a goal on the floor about six feet away from the starting line.
Start in a half-kneeling position behind the pucks. Use the push stick to tap and guide one weighted puck at a time toward the goal.
Encourage the child to use the stick to sweep the pucks from their left side to their right side to practice Crossing Midline.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the playing area is clear of trip hazards. When using the long stick, remind the child to keep a safe distance from others and always supervise play.