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 Button Balance Scale

The Button Balance Scale

Steps:

  • Lay a pencil flat on a table. Use a small piece of masking tape to stop it from rolling.
  • Place the middle of the ruler on top of the pencil. It should tilt back and forth like a seesaw.
  • Use your thumb and pointer finger to pick up a single button from your collection.
  • Place the button gently on one end of the ruler.
  • Now, try to place a second button on the other side to balance the weight.
  • When the ruler stays level without touching the table, your child has mastered the challenge of finding the center of gravity.
  • Keep adding buttons to see how many the scale can hold before it tips.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Buttons are a choking hazard. Keep them away from small children and pets at all times.

Bottle Cap Finger Skaters

Bottle Cap Finger Skaters

Steps:

  • Lay a large piece of cardboard flat on a table.
  • Use masking tape to create a winding skating rink path across the board.
  • Draw small start and finish flags at the ends of the tape path using markers.
  • Take two plastic bottle caps from empty water bottles.
  • Ask your child to place their index and middle finger inside the two caps.
  • Challenge them to skate their fingers along the tape path.
  • They must stay on the tape and keep the caps flat while moving.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the bottle caps are clean and have no sharp plastic edges before playing.

The Hanger Puppet Parade

The Hanger Puppet Parade

Steps:

  • Draw three colorful characters on construction paper using your markers.
  • Carefully cut out each character using your scissors.
  • Cut three pieces of yarn, each about five inches long.
  • Tie one piece of yarn to the top of each paper character.
  • Hold the hanger steady with your non-dominant hand.
  • Pinch a clothespin to clip the yarn to the bottom bar of the hanger.
  • Hold the hanger’s hook and move it slowly from left to right.
  • See your puppets parade through the air!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using scissors and yarn to ensure safety.

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Steps:

  • Secure a large piece of cardboard to a flat table using masking tape.
  • Cut four pieces of ribbon, each about three inches long.
  • Tape both ends of each ribbon piece to the cardboard to create small, tight bridges.
  • Space the bridges out in a straight or winding line across the board.
  • Place a colorful button at the start of the bridge path.
  • Challenge your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to slide the button under each bridge.
  • They must push the button all the way to the end without lifting it off the cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small buttons are a choking hazard. Keep materials away from the mouth.

The Paper Roll Spy Tubes

The Paper Roll Spy Tubes

Steps:

  • Hold two cardboard paper rolls side by side.
  • Use masking tape to wrap around the middle of the rolls to stick them together.
  • Decorate the outside of your spy tubes using colorful markers.
  • Use a hole puncher to make one hole on the outside edge of each roll.
  • Thread a piece of yarn through the holes to create a strap.
  • Ask an adult to help tie the yarn ends so the strap is secure.
  • Now, look through your spy tubes to find specific colors in the room!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required while using the hole puncher and yarn to ensure safety.