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.

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Steps:

  • Fill the container with water and soak the sponge fully. Wring it out hard so it is damp and dense, then press it firmly back into the container base.
  • Adult Prep: Tie one bead securely onto the end of a 12-inch piece of yarn. Tie the opposite end of the yarn onto the middle of one craft stick.
  • Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
  • Using the working hand, aim the craft stick tip at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick and the attached yarn/bead completely through the resistant sponge.
  • Pull the stick back out, feeling the resistance and drag of the yarn as it comes through the wet sponge. Repeat this push and pull action until your child tires.

Safety Tip:
Beads and yarn are small materials. Constant, direct adult supervision is required to ensure these items are not ingested, as they pose a choking hazard.

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the cardboard firmly onto a stable table. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections if needed.
  • Encourage your child to wrap one pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil. Slide the pencil out to create a small, dense coil. Repeat this action to create six colorful coils.
  • Use small pieces of masking tape to secure one end of each finished coil firmly onto the cardboard base. Space the coils out slightly in a winding path.
  • Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 18 inches). Tie one end of the ribbon securely onto the first coil target.
  • Challenge your child to use their fingertips to carefully push the loose end of the ribbon straight through the center of the next tight coil.
  • Continue this weaving action. The child should push the ribbon through each coil one by one until they reach the end of the coiled line.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required, as sharp scissors are used for preparation. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled or tucked safely. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

Cardboard Coin Mail

Cardboard Coin Mail

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a narrow, horizontal slot (about 1 inch long) into the container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with masking tape.
  • Give your child the cardboard. Encourage them to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
  • Challenge them to squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto the cardboard to create a big pile of small cardboard ‘coins.’ Squeezing hard provides deep muscle input!
  • Ask your child to pick up one stiff cardboard coin using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Aim the cardboard coin at the narrow slot.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to mail the coin completely through the resistant slot. Repeat until all the coins are successfully delivered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if hands are misplaced. Ensure all small cardboard pieces are collected immediately after play, as they pose a choking hazard.

Card Link Twister

Card Link Twister

Steps:

  • Use the marker to number 8 index cards sequentially from 1 through 8. This creates your chain links.
  • Use the hole puncher to create two holes at the top edge of each numbered card link.
  • Hold Card #1 steady with your helper hand. Push one bolt through each of the two punched holes.
  • Use your working hand to twist a nut firmly onto the end of each bolt. Practice using quick finger movements.
  • Now, take Card #2. Thread the exposed bolts from Card #1 through the holes in Card #2.
  • Twist two new nuts onto the exposed bolts to link the two cards securely together.
  • Continue this process, linking the numbered cards in order until you have created a long, flexible, and colorful chain.

Safety Tip:
Nuts and bolts are very small pieces. Ensure all materials are kept away from the mouth and supervised closely during assembly to prevent choking hazards.

Weighted Reel Rescue

Weighted Reel Rescue

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Secure the plastic container firmly onto the center of the cardboard base using masking tape. This makes a stable reel base. Tape one craft stick across the container opening, creating a spinning reel handle. Tie the yarn to the handle and attach the bean bag to the loose end.
  • Place the cardboard base on the floor. Unwind the yarn completely, setting the bean bag target a few feet away. Hold the container base firmly with your helper hand to keep it from sliding.
  • Use your working hand to grip the reel handle. Begin twisting the stick repeatedly (forearm rotation) to slowly reel the yarn back in. Keep reeling until the heavy bean bag reaches the container. Repeat the reeling and unwinding.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the cardboard base is firmly anchored so it does not tip or slide when the child applies rotational force. Monitor the child’s body position to ensure they sit or kneel stably while working.