Fine Motor Control - Page 24 of 86

The Beaded Plate Hair Stylist

Steps:

Use your markers to draw a silly face on the paper plate.
Squeeze the hole puncher to make holes around the top of the plate.
Cut pieces of yarn and tie one through each hole for hair.
Give your child a bowl of beads to hold.
Ask them to slide the beads onto the yarn strands.
Tie a small knot at the end of each piece of yarn.

Safety Tip:
Beads are a significant choking hazard. Always supervise your child during this activity and keep all small materials out of reach of younger siblings.

The Straw Pipe Cleaner Architect

Steps:

Help your child cut the straws into smaller pieces of different lengths using the scissors.
Show them how to slide a pipe cleaner through one straw piece and then into another.
Encourage them to bend the pipe cleaner at the joints to connect the straws at different angles.
Challenge your child to build a simple shape first, like a triangle or a square.
Once they get the hang of it, see if they can build a 3D structure like a house or a pyramid!
They can use longer pipe cleaners to tie pieces together for extra strength.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children when using scissors. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are tucked in to avoid any sharp pokes.

The Masking Tape Web Bridge

Steps:

Find an empty shoe box and remove the lid.
Stretch four strips of masking tape across the open top.
Make sure the sticky side is facing up toward the ceiling.
Give your child a pile of craft sticks to hold.
Ask them to press one stick across two tape strips.
Keep adding sticks until a solid bridge floor is made.
Place a small stuffed animal on the bridge for a ride!
Gently peel the sticks off to start the build again.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure the masking tape does not get stuck on their hair or skin.

The Sparkly Pipe Cleaner Spectacles

Steps:

Pick two long pipe cleaners to be the main frames of your glasses.
Bend each pipe cleaner into a circle.
Twist the ends together to lock the shape.
Slide colorful beads onto each circle one by one.
Use a small piece of pipe cleaner to connect the two circles.
Twist a pipe cleaner onto the side of each circle to make the arms.
Bend the ends of the arms to fit over your ears.

Safety Tip:
Beads are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are tucked in so they are not sharp.

The Foil Texture Rubbing

Steps:

Use your glue to stick a few coins, buttons, and dry leaves onto a flat piece of cardboard.
Wait for the glue to dry so the objects are firmly in place.
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to cover the cardboard.
Place the foil over the objects and use your ‘helper hand’ to hold the edges down firmly.
Use your dominant hand to gently rub your fingertips over the foil until you feel the shapes beneath.
Pick up a crayon and use the side of the tip to rub across the raised areas of the foil.
Watch as the detailed textures of the coins and leaves magically appear on the shiny surface!
Use your markers to add colorful details around the textured prints you created.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the edges of the foil are handled gently. Make sure all glue is dry before applying the foil.