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.

Size Triangles

The purpose of this activity is to promote fine motor skills and visual motor skills. You can use Post-Its, paper, newspaper, or construction paper to complete this activity.

Preparation:

Step 1: Have the child fold a Post-It, corner to corner to create the “big triangle.”
Step 2: Have the child complete step 1 two times to create the “medium triangle.”
Step 3: Have the child complete step 1 three times to create the “small triangle.”

To increase the challenge, have the child accurately aim to match the corner to corner & press down on each fold as much as they can.

 

Hatching Egg

This hatching egg activity provides the child with a fun chance to address fine motor skills and bilateral coordination.

Preparation:
Step 1: Draw a chick’s face on an oval-shaped construction paper.
Step 2: Cut the oval-shaped brown construction paper into cracks & tape it together onto the chick’s face.
Step 3: Have the child use both hands to pull off the brown eggshell from the baby chick.

Catch-a-Bug

This catch-a-bug activity provides the child with a fun chance to address fine motor skills.

Preparation:
Step 1: Lace yarn through a basket.
Step 2: Place toy bugs (i.e. figurines, erasers, etc.) on yarn.
Step 3: Have the child manipulate the tongs to retrieve the bugs.

 

For this activity, you can use any type of basket/container.

Flying Unicorn

Step 1: Cut out a picture of a unicorn.

Step 2: Glue it on a paper plate.

Step 3: Hole punch around the edges of the plate.

Step 4: Lace string through each hole, and tie a knot to secure it in place.

Step 5: Option to curl the strings, add jewels, or color the unicorn for more fine motor opportunities.

Step 6: Watch the strands fly in the air as you spin & wave it around! Enjoy!

Puppy Tug Toys

Preparation:

Step 1: Lay out an old shirt flat on the table. Optional: Draw shapes on the shirt with non-toxic markers to address pre-writing skills.

Step 2: Take fabric scissors and begin to cut strips to your desired length. Maintain approximately 2-inches of width.

Step 3: Take one of those strips & use it to tie a group of 3 strips together. Make sure to leave approximately 2-inches from the end.

Step 4: Braid the 3 strips.

Step 5: Take another strip & use it to tie the braid together at the bottom.

Tips:

  1. Use scissors that match your child’s hand dominance.
  2. Hold the fabric in place as they cut.
  3. Use 3 various colors of fabric to make teaching them braiding skills easier.

As always, please provide assistance and supervision as needed.

Share your creation with your lovable dog & enjoy!