Material: Index Cards

Sticky Shape Rescue

Preschooler crossing midline to peel an orange foam shape from a wall, an occupational therapy activity for bilateral hand use and motor planning.

Steps:

  • Use Masking Tape to create a large rectangle outline (the “Rescue Zone”) on a sturdy wall or door at eye level for your child.
  • Cut various simple shapes (squares, triangles, circles) from Foam Sheets or Construction Paper. Using small rolled pieces of tape, stick these shapes randomly onto the wall *outside* the Rescue Zone.
  • Challenge your child to “rescue” the shapes by carefully peeling them off the wall. Encourage them to use one hand to stabilize the wall (the helper hand) while the other hand peels the shape.
  • Once rescued, the child must carry the shape and place it *inside* the taped Rescue Zone. They can match colors or simply stack them inside the boundary.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the working surface is clean and safe, and always supervise when the child is reaching high or standing near a door frame.

Lacing Pictures

Use the hole puncher and the index cards to punch holes in different directions or create different shapes.

Give the child a lace and show him/her the proper sequence to lace these holes.

Have the child lace the picture without skipping any hole.

Cut the Line

Cut The Line activity

Use the ruler to draw 4 inch thick lines across an index card.

At the edge of each line put a sticker and ask the child to cut along the line you drew all the way up to the sticker.

When the child is able to cut along an index card easily, repeat the activity using a paper.

Hang Up a Pattern

Hang Up a Pattern

On an index card or a piece of paper, draw a pattern of colors, letters, or numbers (you can also mix the symbols).

Draw the matching symbols on the bottom part of the clothespins.

Place the index card and the clothespins in front of the child. Ask the child to hold the top part of the hanger with his non-dominant hand.

Review the pattern with the child first, then ask the child to use the dominant hand to find the clothespin that has the first symbol in the raw.

Instruct the child to place the clothespin he found on the hanger, reinforcing him to use pincer grasp to open the clothespin, and crossing his mid-line by placing the clothespin on the opposite side of the hanger (i.e. if the child is right hand dominant, he will start placing the clothespins on the left side of the hanger).

Have the child continue following the pattern, placing all the matching clothespins on the hanger.

Tactile Cards

Preparation for activity: creating the tactile cards

    • Step 1 – Create the tactile cards by writing letters or sight words on each card.
    • Step 2 – Create a matching set of cards
    • Step 3 – Go over each letter or word with puffy paint or glitter glue. Let dry overnight. This creates raised letters on the cards.

You can have the child help you with the preparation part by either writing the letters/words or by tracing them (after you write them)with the puffy paint or glitter glue.

Activity:

    • Step 1 – Mix up the cards and place them face down on the table so that the child can not see the letters.
    • Step 2 – Each player takes a turn by turning over two cards attempting to match the letters or words.
    • Step 3 – If the player matches a letter or a word, the player should trace over the raised letter or word using his finger while saying the letter or word aloud.
      If the player is unable to find a match, it is the next player’s turn.
    • Step 4 – Continue play until all the matches are found.

Modifications:

    • Play on carpeted area and instruct the child to play while on all fours instead of sitting at a table. This position provides proprioceptive input.
    • Place a card on the table with the letter or word facing up. Place a piece of paper over the card. The child can then rub the crayon over the letter or word to reveal what letter/word it is.