Container - Page 11 of 19

Band Launcher Target

Steps:

Prep the launcher by taping one end of a craft stick firmly to the edge of a flat piece of cardboard. The stick must be able to spring back up.
Place the container (the target) a short distance away from the cardboard launch pad.
Encourage your child to use a precise pincer grasp to place a pom-pom onto the free end of the craft stick.
Use one hand to stabilize the cardboard while the other hand presses down on the craft stick tip using controlled force.
Quickly release the stick to launch the pom-pom toward the target container. Count the successful hits!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise to prevent small pom-poms from being placed in the mouth. Ensure the launch area is clear before shooting to avoid hitting anyone.

Quiet Scoop Game

Steps:

Place the bowl full of dry beans on one side of the table and the empty container on the other side.
Explain the rule: The child uses the spoon to scoop one bean and tries to carry it over to the container.
The child must listen for the ‘Stop Sound’ (the adult rolling the dice nearby). If they hear the dice clatter while moving, they must immediately freeze the spoon in the air.
The child must hold the spoon perfectly still until the adult says ‘Go.’ This teaches impulse control and sustained focus.
If they spill the bean during the freeze, they must return the bean to the starting bowl and begin the scoop again.
Once the container is full, count how many trips were successfully completed before the next round.

Safety Tip:
Due to the use of small beans, constant adult supervision is required throughout the activity. Ensure all beans are collected and stored safely after play to prevent choking hazards.

Sticky Straw Scoop

Steps:

Prepare the ‘scoop’ by taking a straw and securing a small loop of masking tape (sticky side facing out) onto one end.
Place a pile of pom-poms on the table and the empty Container next to the Construction Paper target.
Show the child how to hold the straw using their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp), just like holding a miniature pencil.
Challenge the child to carefully touch the sticky straw tip to a pom-pom, lifting it when it sticks firmly.
The child then transfers the sticky pom-pom over the container and uses their non-dominant hand or fingertips to peel it off the straw and drop it in.
Continue this process until all the pom-poms are successfully moved from the starting pile into the container.

Safety Tip:
Always provide close adult supervision during this activity. Ensure the child understands that the small pom-poms and tape are not to be put in the mouth.

Rhythm Sequence Match

Steps:

Set up the game by placing the container and a piece of construction paper on a table. The container will be your drum and the paper is your “target zone.”
Roll the dice. The number rolled determines the length of the rhythm sequence you must create (e.g., 4 means 4 total taps).
The adult claps or uses a craft stick to tap a rhythm on the container. Use varying forces, such as loud, soft, soft, then loud.
The child must carefully listen and then replicate the exact sequence of taps (both the timing and the force) using their own craft sticks on the paper target.
After each sequence, discuss: “Did that feel too loud or just right?” This helps connect the level of force to the resulting sound and internal feeling.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the playing surface is stable so that the child can focus on the control of their fine motor movements and not worry about items slipping.

Foam Monster Feed

Steps:

An adult should cut out a large, fun shape from the Foam Sheet and Glue it securely onto the Plastic Container (this is the monster’s face).
Use Markers to draw a face. Then, carefully poke 10 to 15 small holes through the Foam and Container. The holes should be slightly smaller than the Pipe Cleaners for good resistance.
Place the container on the table. Ask your child to use one hand to firmly hold the container steady (proximal stability).
Challenge your child to use their dominant hand to pick up one Pipe Cleaner (the “monster snack”) using a precise Pincer Grasp.
Encourage them to push the pipe cleaner straight into one of the resistant holes to ‘feed’ the monster. The pushing provides great heavy work for their hands.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners can have sharp ends after cutting or pose a mild choking hazard if put in the mouth. Ensure the bucket is stable before the child pushes the materials.