Fine Motor Control - Page 2 of 73

The Taped Yarn Bridge Pull

Steps:

Cut a large rectangle of cardboard to use as your steady work base.
Tape two long, parallel pieces of yarn across the cardboard about three inches apart.
Make sure the yarn is very tight so it forms two raised ‘rails’.
Use your markers to draw a bright finish line at one end of the board.
Take an empty paper cup and place it upside down on top of the two yarn rails.
Carefully set a ping pong ball on the bottom of the upside-down cup.
Tie a separate piece of yarn to a paper clip and slide the clip onto the cup’s rim.
Hold the cardboard base firmly with your helper hand to keep it still.
Slowly pull the yarn string to glide the cup along the rails toward the finish line!
If the ball falls off, return to the start and try pulling with a smoother motion.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using long pieces of yarn. Store the yarn safely away after play to prevent any risk of entanglement.

Balloon Blast Ping Pong Path

Steps:

Cut several long strips of cardboard and bend them into U-shaped arches.
Use masking tape to stick these arches onto a flat table to make a tunnel path.
Place a ping pong ball at the very beginning of the path.
Blow up a bright balloon but do not tie the end shut.
Pinch the balloon neck tightly with your fingers to keep the air inside.
Hold the balloon behind the ball and point the opening at it.
Slowly let go of the pinch to release a blast of air.
Try to blow the ball through every single cardboard arch to the finish!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are playing with balloons. If a balloon pops, pick up and throw away the broken pieces immediately. These can be a choking hazard.

The Foil Pan Bead Scoop

Steps:

Place the aluminium foil pan on a flat table.
Fill the pan about halfway with cool water.
Drop a handful of colorful beads into the water.
Give your toddler a sturdy spoon to hold.
Ask them to scoop up one bead at a time.
Challenge them to carry the bead to a nearby bowl.
Drop the rescued bead into the empty bowl.
Continue until all the beads are moved out of the water!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Beads are small parts. Always supervise your toddler closely and ensure they do not put beads in their mouth.

The Musical Ribbon Shaker

Steps:

Give your toddler two paper plates to decorate with markers.
Place one plate face up on the table.
Help your child pick up a handful of beans.
Ask them to use their thumb and pointer finger to drop the beans one by one.
Place the second plate upside down on top of the first.
An adult should staple the edges together firmly.
Glue several colorful ribbon strips to the sides of the shaker.
Show your toddler how to hold the shaker with both hands.
Shake the plates to the beat of your favorite song!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Beans and staples are small. Always supervise your child and ensure the plates are sealed tightly.

The Balancing Cardboard Bird

Steps:

Draw a large bird shape on a piece of cardboard with your markers.
Make sure the bird has wide wings that curve forward past the beak.
Use your scissors to carefully cut the bird shape out of the cardboard.
Place one coin on the very front tip of each bird wing.
Use masking tape to secure the coins firmly to the cardboard wings.
Hold the bird by the body and rest the beak on your fingertip.
Watch as the bird balances perfectly in the air without falling!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors. Coins are a choking hazard, so keep them away from younger siblings who might put things in their mouths.