Paper Plate - OTPlan

Playdough Pothole Punch

Steps:

Firmly press a large lump of playdough onto the back of a paper plate.
The plate should be upside down and the playdough acts as a resistant base.
Pick up one golf ball tee using your thumb and pointer finger.
Hold the paper plate steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
Aim the blunt end of the tee at the playdough.
Use strong, controlled force to press the tee into the playdough, creating a deep ‘pothole.’
Repeat the punching action until the entire playdough surface is filled with holes.
Try gently twisting the tee as you push it in to change the resistance.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and golf ball tees are small objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Plate Rim Precision Tweeze

Steps:

Use a marker to draw several small shapes onto the flat center of the paper plate. This is your stacking zone.
Challenge your child to tear the rim off the paper plate. They should aim to tear the thick rim into small, rough, curved pieces. Tearing this resistant material requires strong effort.
Once the rim is completely torn, place the small curved pieces onto the construction paper beside the plate. This is your supply pile.
Ask your child to hold the paper plate steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
Use the tweezers to pick up one torn rim piece at a time. The child must grip the piece firmly without squeezing too hard.
Carefully transfer and stack the torn pieces onto the marked area in the center of the plate. Keep the stack balanced and try not to knock it over!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The torn paper pieces are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Ensure the child only uses the tweezers and paper as intended.

Plate Spin Targets

Steps:

Use markers to draw 4-6 small, bright dots (targets) randomly across the surface of the paper plate.
Flip the plate over. Use masking tape to secure a craft stick firmly to the center back as a spin handle.
Have your child place the plate on the table. They use one hand to grasp the craft stick handle.
Challenge your child to spin the plate quickly using their hand (practicing forearm rotation).
While the plate is spinning, they must try to quickly tap the center of a colored dot using the pointer finger of their other hand.
Try switching hands! Use the non-dominant hand to spin and the dominant hand to tap the moving targets.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the plate and handle are securely fastened. Supervise closely to ensure the child keeps their fingers clear of the spinning parts to avoid minor scrapes.

Color Switch Panel

Steps:

Use the construction paper to cut out three large circles, slightly smaller than the paper plate.
Assign each colored circle a feeling (e.g., Red = mad; Yellow = focused; Blue = calm).
Draw or write 2-3 body signals on each color zone (e.g., Red: “fast heart,” Blue: “slow breath”).
Glue the colored circles around the paper plate rim. This is your three-zone control panel.
Draw a large arrow on the index card. Use a small dab of glue to attach the arrow to the plate center so it spins.
Practice identifying feelings. When a strong emotion appears, point the arrow to the matching zone. Discuss tools to move from Red to Blue.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the child is supervised while using scissors or glue. When discussing emotions, maintain a safe, non-judgmental space for them to share their feelings.

Stick Weave Loom

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use the hole puncher to make 10 to 12 holes evenly around the edge of the paper plate.
Help your child push a craft stick straight through each punched hole. The sticks should stand up firmly like fence posts.
Show your child how to stabilize the paper plate with their helper hand to keep it steady on the table.
Take one pipe cleaner and curl the end slightly to create a dull ‘needle’ point for safe threading.
Challenge your child to weave the pipe cleaner through the sticks following an ‘over, under, over, under’ pattern.
Continue weaving the pipe cleaner until the entire stick fence is connected by the colorful web. Try different colored pipe cleaners for the next round.

Safety Tip:
Close adult supervision is required. Ensure that the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled to prevent scratches. Small pieces of cut pipe cleaner pose a potential choking hazard.