Distal Finger Control - Page 6 of 26

Banded Bottle Bean Slider

Steps:

Take the plastic bottle and wrap four pipe cleaners tightly around the middle section.
Use small pieces of masking tape to secure the ends of the pipe cleaners so they do not slide around.
Place one dry bean at the very bottom of the bottle.
Hold the bottle firmly with your helper hand to keep it from moving on the table.
Use your thumb and pointer finger to slide the bean up the bottle, pushing it underneath the first tight pipe cleaner band.
Continue sliding and pushing the bean past every band until it reaches the top of the bottle.
Try to see how fast you can do it without the bean popping out from under your finger!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Dry beans are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard. Ensure all materials are collected and stored safely after play.

Resistance Fold & Tweeze Art

Steps:

Give your child the index cards. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cards into small, rough, 2-inch squares.
Take one torn square. Use strong finger force to fold it tightly in half, then fold it again to create a stiff, resistant 3D shape.
Draw a simple line or shape onto the cardboard base using the liquid glue bottle. Encourage controlled squeezing.
Press the stiff, folded cardboard shapes firmly onto the wet glue line. Use maximum force to create a stable, textured sculpture or wall.
Place the pile of sequins nearby. Hold the tweezers like a pencil in your dominant hand.
Use the tweezers to carefully pick up one tiny sequin. Transfer it to the cardboard structure.
Press the sequin onto the resistant folds to decorate your 3D art. Continue this until all the folded pieces are covered in sparkle!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and small, crumpled paper pieces are very small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Tight Weave Screw Frame

Steps:

Use the Markers to draw a sturdy frame or square onto the Cardboard. Use the Scissors to cut this frame out (parent assistance may be needed).
Take the Index Cards and cut them into long, colorful strips for weaving. Draw a simple pattern on them using markers.
Glue the beginning of each strip to the back of the Cardboard frame. Weave the strips tightly across the frame, then secure the ends with Glue on the back.
Using the Hole Puncher, squeeze hard to punch 4 holes straight through the woven layers and the Cardboard frame. This requires strong effort!
Stabilize the frame with your helper hand. Push a Bolt straight through one of the tight, punched holes.
Pick up a Nut with a precise Pincer Grasp. Twist the Nut firmly onto the Bolt until the woven strips are compressed tightly. Repeat until all holes are secured.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required when using scissors. Ensure the child handles the nuts and bolts appropriately, keeping them away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Spiral Twist Core Threading

Steps:

Adult Step: Secure the paper roll horizontally onto the cardboard base using strong masking tape. This creates a stable ‘dowel’ for twisting.
Use the markers to draw colorful stripes or dots onto several index cards. Cut the decorated cards into long, narrow strips (about 1/2 inch wide).
Take one paper strip. Use your fingertips to curl and twist the strip tightly around itself to create a stiff, narrow spiral shape.
Secure the end of the paper spiral with a small amount of glue to keep the resistant shape from unrolling. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make a pile of colorful spirals.
Hold the cardboard base firmly steady with your non-dominant hand. Pick up a paper spiral with your working hand.
Aim the spiral at the paper roll. Use a continuous twisting motion (like screwing in a lightbulb) to thread the spiral onto the roll, pushing it along the core.
Continue twisting and pushing the colorful spirals until the entire paper roll is covered in dense, textured art. Then, try unwinding them!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Adults should manage the scissors for preparation. Ensure the child remains seated stably to focus on the fine motor movements and to prevent the board from tipping.

Putty Pancake Decorators

Steps:

Give your child a large chunk of Theraputty or stiff playdough. Encourage them to use both hands to squeeze, mash, and roll it into a thick ‘pancake’ on the paper plate. Press hard for heavy work!
Ask your child to hold the paper plate firmly steady with their helper hand to keep the ‘pancake’ from sliding.
Pick up the tweezers or tongs. Use a strong pincer grasp to grab one small bead at a time.
Carefully aim the bead. Push it firmly and precisely into the resistant putty surface to create a colorful design or pattern.
Repeat the process until the entire putty pancake is covered in decorative beads. Try using different colors or sizes of beads.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and Theraputty/Playdough are small objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.