Skill: Fine Motor Control

Using the small muscles in the hands and wrists to make precise movements. This is the foundation for almost all school tasks, like drawing, writing, and using tools.

The Secret Keyhole Drop

The Secret Keyhole Drop

Steps:

  • Cut a narrow slot in a piece of cardboard using your scissors.
  • Use your markers to draw a treasure chest or a door around the secret slot.
  • Tape a craft stick to the edge of a large button to create a key handle.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard upright with their helper hand.
  • They must twist their wrist to align the button with the slot to push it through.
  • Try making the slot horizontal or vertical to change the wrist movement.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using scissors and small buttons to prevent any choking hazards.

Crumpled Leaf Twig Tree

Crumpled Leaf Twig Tree

Steps:

  • Stand your branch inside the container using a large lump of playdough.
  • Encourage your child to tear strips of tissue paper with both hands.
  • Ask them to crumple the paper into small balls using only their fingertips.
  • Have your child pick up a clothespin and squeeze it open.
  • They must trap a tissue paper leaf inside the clothespin.
  • Challenge them to clip the leaf onto a twig on the branch.
  • Continue until the branch is full of colorful tissue paper leaves!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small pieces of tissue paper and playdough can be a choking hazard. Watch for sharp twigs on the branches.

The Rice Pan Bridge Cross

The Rice Pan Bridge Cross

Steps:

  • Pour Rice into the Aluminium Foil Pan.
  • Place three Craft Sticks across the pan width to form narrow bridges.
  • Put a few small Blocks on the table next to the pan.
  • Give your child the Tongs to pick up one Block.
  • Challenge them to walk the Block across a Craft Stick bridge.
  • If the Block falls into the Rice, try again!
  • Deliver all the Blocks to the other side to win.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when playing with small blocks or rice. These materials can be a choking hazard. Ensure the pan is on a flat surface to prevent spills.

The Sturdy Newspaper Bridge

The Sturdy Newspaper Bridge

Steps:

  • Lay a sheet of newspaper flat on a table.
  • Start at one corner and roll the paper into a very tight, thin tube.
  • Use a small piece of masking tape to secure the end.
  • Repeat this until you have at least ten strong paper tubes.
  • Place two stacks of blocks about six inches apart on the table.
  • Tape your paper tubes together to create a flat platform.
  • Lay the platform across the blocks to form a bridge.
  • Gently place more blocks on top of the bridge to see how much weight it can hold!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to help with the building and design of the bridge. Be careful with any small tape pieces that might stick to other surfaces.

The Aluminum Foil Pincer Boats

The Aluminum Foil Pincer Boats

Steps:

  • Tear off small squares of aluminum foil using both hands.
  • Pinch and fold the edges up to make a tiny boat shape.
  • Fill a plastic container with water and float your boats.
  • Use tweezers to pick up one bead at a time.
  • Carefully place the beads into the boats one by one.
  • Try to keep the boat level so it does not sink!

Safety Tip:
Beads and small foil pieces are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during water play.