Skill: Eye-Hand Coordination

The way the eyes guide the hands to do a task. This helps your child catch a ball, write on a line, or stack blocks without knocking them over.

Clothespin Feather Match

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘Clipping Creature’ by decorating the plastic container with markers.
  • Use index cards to draw and cut several long strips. These are your colorful ‘feathers.’
  • Draw small, matching colored dots on the rim of the container and on the ends of the clothespins (e.g., red dot on rim, red dot on pin).
  • Encourage your child to pinch open a clothespin. Clip a colorful index card feather onto it first.
  • Challenge them to clip the clothespin onto the container’s rim. The color on the pin must match the color dot on the container.

Safety Tip:
If the child is using scissors during step two, ensure constant adult supervision. Only use child-safe scissors.

Stick Weave Loom

Stick Weave Loom

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use the hole puncher to make 10 to 12 holes evenly around the edge of the paper plate.
  • Help your child push a craft stick straight through each punched hole. The sticks should stand up firmly like fence posts.
  • Show your child how to stabilize the paper plate with their helper hand to keep it steady on the table.
  • Take one pipe cleaner and curl the end slightly to create a dull ‘needle’ point for safe threading.
  • Challenge your child to weave the pipe cleaner through the sticks following an ‘over, under, over, under’ pattern.
  • Continue weaving the pipe cleaner until the entire stick fence is connected by the colorful web. Try different colored pipe cleaners for the next round.

Safety Tip:
Close adult supervision is required. Ensure that the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled to prevent scratches. Small pieces of cut pipe cleaner pose a potential choking hazard.

Foil Ball Toss

Foil Ball Toss

Steps:

  • Set up the target: Place the Aluminium Foil Pan (or a sturdy Container) on the floor a few feet away. Use Masking Tape to mark a “Foil Launcher Line” where the child must stand.
  • Give the child a sheet of Aluminium Foil. Encourage them to use both hands to tear off a medium-sized piece. Tearing this resistant material is a great workout!
  • Challenge the child to crumple the foil piece into the tightest, smallest ball they can using only their fingertips, focusing on squeezing hard to create a dense ‘golf ball’.
  • Have the child stand behind the line and toss their heavy foil ball into the target pan. Practice aiming and grading the force of the throw. Count how many they make!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Ensure the child fully crumples the foil pieces before tossing to avoid sharp edges. Collect all small foil balls after play to prevent choking hazards or ingestion by pets.

Precision Bead Path

Precision Bead Path

Steps:

  • Draw a simple winding path or grid onto the index card using a marker.
  • Make small, uniform dots along the drawn path to create targets.
  • Carefully place tiny dots of liquid glue onto each marker target dot.
  • Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) to pick up one bead.
  • Stabilize the card with the helper hand. Precisely place the bead directly onto the wet glue dot.
  • Continue working to fill the entire dotted path until your design is complete.

Safety Tip:
Beads are very small and pose a serious choking hazard for children under five. Maintain constant, direct adult supervision throughout this activity. Ensure all materials are collected and stored safely after play.

Egg Cup Dot Art

Egg Cup Dot Art

Steps:

  • Prepare the palette by cutting the lid off an egg carton. Place a small dab of glue or paint inside the bottom of each egg cup.
  • Give the child one piece of construction paper and several Q-tips. Encourage them to hold the Q-tip using their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Challenge the child to dip the Q-tip into one cup to collect the paint or glue.
  • The goal is to carefully transfer the Q-tip to the construction paper to make precise dots or follow a pre-drawn line.
  • Encourage the child to switch colors and fill the entire paper with dots. They must stabilize the paper with their helper hand.

Safety Tip:
Due to the small size of the Q-tips and glue/paint, close adult supervision is required. Ensure the child understands the materials are not for eating or placing near the face.