Eye-Hand Coordination - Page 21 of 34

Plate Cymbal March

Steps:

Gather two paper plates (one for each hand). Help your child practice using the hole puncher to create 4 to 6 holes around the edges of each plate. Remind them to hold the plate steady with one hand while punching with the other!
Take three pipe cleaners and twist them together tightly to create one thick, sturdy ‘handle’ for each plate.
Help your child thread the pipe cleaner handle through two opposing holes on the plate edge. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner handle securely on the front of the plate so it won’t slip.
Once both plates have handles, encourage your child to march around the room, clapping the ‘cymbals’ together. Marching helps them integrate both sides of the body while providing great sensory input.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children when using the hole puncher to prevent them from putting fingers inside the mechanism or attempting to punch clothes.

Paper Roll Snip Monster

Steps:

Use markers to color the entire outside surface of the paper roll (toilet paper or paper towel size) with bright colors. Encourage using both hands to stabilize the roll while coloring.
An adult should draw several straight lines (about 1 inch long) around the bottom edge of the roll, spaced about a quarter-inch apart. These are the guides for snipping.
Encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand firmly inside the roll to keep it steady (proximal stability) while using the scissors to carefully snip along each marked line.
Once the bottom is fully snipped, gently bend the strips outward to create a fringe (the ‘legs’ or ‘wiggly hair’).
Finish the craft by gluing two wiggle eyes onto the top section of the roll to complete your Paper Roll Snip Monster!

Safety Tip:
Always provide direct adult supervision when using scissors. Ensure that any small pieces, such as wiggle eyes, are properly glued or immediately removed from the workspace to prevent choking in children under 5.

Cotton Cloud Transfer

Preschool child kneeling on a wooden floor doing a cotton ball transfer activity with a spoon and colored bowls, improving coordination and motor skills.

Steps:

Use Masking Tape to mark a starting point (Bowl 1) and a finish line (Bowl 2) about three feet apart on a table or floor.
Fill the first Bowl with 10-15 Cotton Balls, leaving the second Bowl empty. Use a small amount of water to slightly dampen the cotton balls if extra challenge is needed for stability.
Challenge your child to use the Spoon to scoop one Cotton Ball at a time and slowly carry it across the designated space and drop it into the empty Bowl without dropping it.
Encourage them to keep their non-dominant hand resting on the table or floor for stability (the ‘helper hand’) while scooping and transferring.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the bowls are stable and non-slip to prevent frustration. Always provide close supervision during fine motor activities.

Sticky Shape Rescue

Preschooler crossing midline to peel an orange foam shape from a wall, an occupational therapy activity for bilateral hand use and motor planning.

Steps:

Use Masking Tape to create a large rectangle outline (the “Rescue Zone”) on a sturdy wall or door at eye level for your child.
Cut various simple shapes (squares, triangles, circles) from Foam Sheets or Construction Paper. Using small rolled pieces of tape, stick these shapes randomly onto the wall *outside* the Rescue Zone.
Challenge your child to “rescue” the shapes by carefully peeling them off the wall. Encourage them to use one hand to stabilize the wall (the helper hand) while the other hand peels the shape.
Once rescued, the child must carry the shape and place it *inside* the taped Rescue Zone. They can match colors or simply stack them inside the boundary.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the working surface is clean and safe, and always supervise when the child is reaching high or standing near a door frame.

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.