Core Strength - Page 9 of 11

Frozen Dessert Relay

Preschool girl strengthens core and hand muscles by lying prone and scooping colorful pom-poms with an ice cream scoop.

Steps:

Place the empty Paper Cup about 12-18 inches in front of or slightly off to the side of your child (this will be the ‘sundae dish’).
Have your child lie on their tummy (prone position) on the floor, resting on their forearms. Place the Bowl filled with Pom-poms (‘ice cream flavors’) right next to their chest.
Challenge your child to use the Ice Cream Scoop to load one pom-pom, then lift their arm to reach and drop the pom-pom into the Paper Cup. Encourage them to keep their bellies on the floor while they reach and scoop!
When they have filled the cup, try moving the cup to the opposite side of their body to encourage a big cross-body reach (crossing midline) while maintaining their stable tummy position.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Ensure the playing surface is clear and that your child maintains a comfortable prone position. Always monitor to prevent mouthing of small objects like pom-poms.

Sticky Wall Rescue

Preschool girl engaging in a bilateral fine motor and core strength activity, peeling crumpled tissue paper off masking tape adhered to a playroom wall.

Steps:

Prepare the sticky trap: Place 3-4 strips of masking tape vertically on a wall (ensure it is safe for tape removal!). Roll the ends of the tape to secure it to the wall, leaving the sticky side facing outwards.
Encourage your child to gently press small, crumbled pieces of tissue paper onto the exposed sticky side of the tape at different heights, stretching their reach.
Now it is ‘Rescue Time!’ Have your child use their fingers to peel and pull the tissue paper off the masking tape, using both hands as needed. The resistance of the sticky tape provides great heavy work input.

Safety Tip:
Always test the masking tape on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it won’t damage paint or wallpaper. Supervise closely to ensure your child doesn’t place tape or tissue paper near their face or mouth.

Giant Sponge Squish Art

Steps:

Tape a large sheet of Butcher Paper securely to the floor. Set up a paint station (a shallow bowl with Tempera Paint) just to one side of the paper.
Encourage your child to kneel or squat beside the paper, not directly over it. This position naturally encourages core engagement and balance.
Have your child dip a sponge into the paint. The challenge is to use two hands to press the sponge down firmly onto the paper, making a ‘squish’ sound and mark. Make sure they reach far across their body to stamp marks on the opposite side of the paper (crossing midline).
Vary the required force: Ask them to make ‘strong’ marks (heavy work input) and then ‘light’ marks to practice motor control.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor area is dry before beginning and supervise closely to prevent slips, especially when working with wet paint or sponges.

Sticky Web Art

Steps:

Select a clean, sturdy wall or door frame. Place a large piece of masking tape vertically to act as an anchor point.
Create a ‘sticky web’ or vertical canvas by attaching strips of masking tape across the anchored piece, ensuring the sticky side faces OUT toward the child.
Provide a bowl of pom-poms, crumbled tissue paper, and wiggle eyes. Encourage the child to peel and stick these items onto the sticky web. Challenge them to reach high and low to activate different muscle groups.
Discuss the textures and colors they are adding. This is a great way to work on bilateral coordination by having one hand stabilize the body while the other hand works to place the materials precisely.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise the activity. Ensure the floor area is clear, especially if your child is reaching up on their toes. When removing the tape, peel it off slowly and carefully to prevent paint damage.

Pillow Mountain Delivery Service

Build a ‘Pillow Mountain’ obstacle path across your living room floor using 5-8 pillows. Arrange them so your child must step or jump carefully between them without touching the floor.