Fine Motor Control - Page 19 of 84

The Cotton Ball Scoop Race

Steps:

Place a large bowl filled with cotton balls on a table in front of your child.
Set an empty basket a short distance away on the same table.
Hand your child a spoon and show them how to scoop up one cotton ball.
Encourage them to carry the ‘cloud’ on the spoon without letting it fall.
Ask them to drop the cotton ball gently into the empty basket.
Challenge them to fill the entire basket as fast as they can!
To add a challenge, move the basket further away to encourage longer reaching.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon safely. Keep all materials away from the mouth to prevent any risk.

The Pool Noodle Dinner Prep

Steps:

Place a pool noodle on a flat surface like a table or paper plate.
Have your child hold the noodle steady with their helper hand.
Hand them a plastic safety knife with their other hand.
Show them how to move the knife back and forth in a sawing motion.
Encourage them to cut the noodle into small food slices.
Once they have a pile of slices, they can serve them on a paper plate!

Safety Tip:
Always use a dull plastic safety knife and supervise your child closely to ensure they use a safe sawing motion.

The Cardboard Box Pinball Goal

Steps:

Open the shoe box and remove the lid to create your play arena.
Cut small strips of cardboard from the lid to make bumpers.
Tape the bumpers inside the box at different angles using masking tape.
Cut a paper straw into three pieces and tape them down as obstacles.
Use your markers to draw point values like 10 or 50 on the bumpers.
Hold the box with both hands and place the ping pong ball inside.
Tilt the box slowly to roll the ball and hit every bumper target!

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

The Button Logic Grid

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a three-by-three grid on the cardboard.
Collect nine buttons in three different colors from your container.
You will need three red, three blue, and three yellow ones.
Explain that each color only goes once in every row.
Each color also only goes once in every column.
Place one button in a corner to start the game.
Ask your child to place the rest of the buttons.
Encourage them to check their work for any double colors.
Check the final work together to see if it is correct!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Buttons are a choking hazard for younger siblings.

The Coffee Filter Raindrop Race

Steps:

Place six baking cups in a circle on a large paper plate.
Fill a small bowl with water and add two drops of food coloring.
Lay one coffee filter flat across the top of all the baking cups.
Ask your child to hold the eyedropper with their thumb and pointer finger.
Squeeze the dropper to pick up some of the colored raindrops.
Carefully drop water onto the filter right over each cup target.
Watch the water soak through and try to fill each cup equally!

Safety Tip:
Food coloring and small cups can be messy. Always watch your child closely to make sure they do not drink the water.