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 Cardboard Compass Navigator

The Cardboard Compass Navigator

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut a large square out of cardboard for your map base.
  • Draw a colorful landscape with markers including a river and a forest.
  • Glue a craft stick at each edge of the board and label them North, South, East, and West.
  • Use a pencil to poke a tiny hole right in the center of your map.
  • Thread a piece of string through one button and then through the hole in the cardboard.
  • Tie a thick knot on the back of the board so the button stays attached.
  • Ask your child to rest their palm on the cardboard without lifting it.
  • They must use their thumb and index finger to slide the button to different targets.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or small buttons.

The Shimmering Mosaic Lid Garden

The Shimmering Mosaic Lid Garden

Steps:

  • Place the plastic container on a flat table.
  • Use markers to draw grass and flower stems on the sides of the container.
  • Put long strips of masking tape across the lid with the sticky side facing up.
  • Secure the edges of the tape so it stays on the lid.
  • Have your child pick up one sequin using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Press the sequin onto the sticky tape to make a flower on top of the stem.
  • Continue until the garden on the lid is full of colorful sequin flowers.

Safety Tip:
Sequins are very small and can be a choking hazard, so please supervise your child closely during play.

The Masking Tape Spoon Scraper

The Masking Tape Spoon Scraper

Steps:

  • Start by sticking several long strips of masking tape onto a flat piece of cardboard.
  • Press the tape down very firmly so it is flat and tight.
  • Give your child a sturdy spoon to use as their scraping tool.
  • Ask them to use the edge of the spoon to lift the tape.
  • Encourage them to peel every piece of tape off the board completely.
  • Have them use their other hand to hold the cardboard steady while they work.
  • Finally, they can crumple the sticky tape into a ball to finish.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using the spoon to ensure it is used safely.

The Upright Clip Fence

The Upright Clip Fence

Steps:

  • First, cut a rectangular piece of cardboard to use as your sturdy base.
  • Lay a long strip of masking tape across the cardboard with the sticky side up.
  • Secure the ends of the tape so the strip stays perfectly flat.
  • Use your markers to draw a winding path directly onto the sticky tape.
  • Hand your child the tweezers and a pile of colorful paper clips.
  • Challenge them to pick up a clip and press its narrow edge onto the tape.
  • They should follow the marker line until the path is covered with standing clips.
  • Once finished, they can use their fingers to pluck the clips off.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small paper clips are a choking hazard, so keep them away from younger siblings.

Bottle Galaxy Weaver

Bottle Galaxy Weaver

Steps:

  • Wash and dry an empty plastic bottle.
  • Remove the label so you can see inside clearly.
  • Use a hole puncher to make six holes around the top of the bottle.
  • Punch six more holes near the bottom of the bottle.
  • Cut several pieces of yarn into long strips.
  • Tie a bead to one end of a yarn piece to act as a star.
  • Thread the yarn through a top hole and pull it across to a bottom hole.
  • Add more beads as you weave through different holes.
  • Crumple small strips of index cards and push them into the bottle first to act as planets.
  • Challenge your child to weave the yarn so the stars rest on the planets.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children when using a hole puncher. Beads are a choking hazard. Keep them away from younger siblings.