Skill: Distal Finger Control

The ability to move just the very tips of the fingers while keeping the rest of the hand steady. This is key for small, precise movements like writing or buttoning.

The Ribbon Ring Squeeze

The Ribbon Ring Squeeze

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw colorful stripes around your empty paper roll.
  • Cut several long strips of ribbon using your child-safe scissors.
  • Use masking tape to stick one end of a ribbon to the top of the roll.
  • Ask your child to hold the paper roll steady with their helper hand.
  • Have them use their other hand to wrap the ribbon tightly around the roll.
  • Once the ribbon is wrapped, use a pincer grasp to tape the end down.
  • Repeat this with different colors until the whole tube is fuzzy and bright!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure the ribbon pieces are not long enough to wrap around the neck.

The Pudding Bead Hunt

The Pudding Bead Hunt

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw several colorful circles on the outside of a Ziplock bag.
  • Open the bag and scoop in about half a cup of pudding.
  • Drop a few colorful beads into the pudding and seal the bag shut.
  • Lay the bag flat and use masking tape to secure the edges to a table.
  • Ask your child to use their pointer finger to find a bead inside the bag.
  • Challenge them to slide the bead through the pudding until it reaches a matching circle!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the Ziplock bag is sealed tightly to avoid any leaks. Small beads are a choking hazard and should be kept away from younger siblings.

Balloon Bead Balance Mission

Balloon Bead Balance Mission

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
  • Place a bowl of beads and an empty basket on a stable table.
  • Ask your child to stand in front of the materials.
  • Have them rest the balloon on the flat palm of their non-dominant helper hand.
  • Use the tweezers in their other hand to pick up a single bead.
  • Carefully carry the bead and drop it into the basket while keeping the balloon balanced.
  • If the balloon falls, return the bead and try again from the start.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small beads are a significant choking hazard. Ensure the balloon is handled carefully to avoid popping near the face.

Styrofoam Bolt Builder

Styrofoam Bolt Builder

Steps:

  • Lay a flat Styrofoam block on your table.
  • Use markers to draw a simple robot or house shape on the top.
  • Poke several small holes along the lines of your drawing using a pencil.
  • Pick up a long bolt and push it through one of the holes.
  • Reach under the foam with your other hand.
  • Use your fingertips to find the end of the bolt without looking.
  • Twist a nut onto the bolt until it is tight against the foam.
  • Repeat this for every hole until your structure is full of metal parts!
  • Stack a few wooden blocks on the bolts to see what you can build.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small nuts and bolts are a choking hazard. Ensure the pencil used for poking holes is handled safely.

The Cardboard Ring Finger Hop

The Cardboard Ring Finger Hop

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut an empty paper roll into five thin rings.
  • Let your child decorate each ring with a different color using the markers.
  • Tape the bottom of each ring in a straight line onto a flat cardboard sheet.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard steady with their non-dominant helper hand.
  • Have them walk their index and middle fingers through the rings like a tiny person.
  • Challenge them to hop through the rings as fast as they can without touching the sides!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent any small scrapes during play.