Skill: Bilateral Hand Use

The ability to use both hands together as a team. We use this for almost everything, like holding the paper with one hand while cutting with the other, or buttoning a shirt.

Tissue Tear Treasures

Tissue Tear Treasures

Steps:

  • Help your child draw a large, simple shape (like a star, a big letter, or a cloud) onto the construction paper. This will be the canvas for the ‘treasure’ art.
  • Present the tissue paper. Encourage your child to use both hands to tear the tissue paper into small strips or pieces. Focus on using the thumb and index finger to initiate the tear.
  • Show the child how to crumple those small pieces into tiny, tight balls (treasures!). This step heavily promotes strong intrinsic muscles and a precise pincer grasp.
  • Apply glue along the lines of the drawn shape. Encourage the child to pick up the crumpled tissue balls and press them onto the glue, filling in the shape until the ‘treasure’ collage is complete.

Safety Tip:
Supervise closely during this activity. Ensure the child uses glue appropriately (dot, not a large glob). Because this activity involves very small pieces of paper, teach the child to keep them on the table, not near the mouth.

Sticky Straw Scoop

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.

Tee Punch Garden

Tee Punch Garden

Steps:

  • Set up the ‘garden’ by placing one thick foam sheet on a stable table or floor. If your foam is thin, layer two sheets for more resistance.
  • Introduce the golf tees as ‘planting tools.’ Show your child how to hold the tee using their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grip), similar to how they will hold a pencil.
  • Encourage your child to use their non-dominant (helper) hand to press down on and stabilize the foam sheet while their dominant hand pushes the tee straight down, punching a hole.
  • Continue punching holes until the foam sheet is full! This provides excellent resistance that strengthens the small muscles in the hand.
  • Finish the activity by using the pipe cleaners as ‘stems.’ Thread them into the punched holes to create a colorful, textured garden.
  • If desired, gently pull the tees out and repeat the whole process again to get extra strengthening practice.

Safety Tip:
Golf tees have a pointed end. Always supervise closely to ensure the child is pushing the tee into the foam and not near their face or body. Store the tees safely when not in use.

Pom-Pom Popper Target Game

A preschooler playing the pom-pom popper game, demonstrating bilateral hand use and aiming toward a bucket target. | Close-up on child's hands loading a pom-pom into a paper cup launcher, highlighting fine motor control and visual motor skills.

Steps:

  • Adult Step: Use scissors to cut the bottom out of the paper cup. Cut the knot end off the balloon, then stretch the balloon tightly over the open bottom of the cup and secure it.”
  • “Place a bucket, basket, or cardboard box about five feet away to act as your target.”
  • “Show your child how to load a pom-pom into the top (uncovered) end of the cup launcher.”
  • “Have your child hold the cup firmly with one hand, pull the balloon knot back with the other hand, aim at the target, and release the knot to launch the pom-pom!”
  • “Count how many pom-poms land inside the target for some added sequencing practice.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is needed, especially during setup involving scissors. If the balloon breaks, immediately collect all pieces as broken balloons are a significant choking risk.

Fuzzy Target Toss

Preschool girl practices crossing midline by peeling pom-poms off a velcro felt target taped to a kitchen cabinet door for shoulder strengthening.
Prepare your materials! Place a small circle of Velcro (the hook side is usually best) on the back of several pom-poms. Place the loop side of the Velcro on a large piece of Felt to create your target.

Use Masking Tape to secure the Felt target to a vertical surface, like a door or the side of a tall bookshelf.
Place the target high enough so your child has to reach up or slightly across their body to aim.
Have your child stand back a few feet and gently toss the pom-poms at the target. Cheer them on as they try to get the fuzzy items to stick!
After all the pom-poms are tossed, have your child practice peeling them off. Encourage them to use both hands—one to stabilize the felt, and the other to peel the pom-pom.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the target surface is stable. If your child is jumping or reaching high, spot them gently. Always supervise to ensure pom-poms are not placed in the mouth.