Fine Motor Control - Page 34 of 84

The Bead Bridge Slide

Steps:

Cut two short pieces of a straw, each about two inches long.
Tape these pieces vertically onto a piece of cardboard, leaving a six-inch gap between them.
Thread four colorful beads onto a full-length straw.
Slide the ends of the long straw into the two short taped pieces to create a bridge.
Ask your child to use their pinching fingers to slide the beads from one end to the other.
Challenge them to move the beads back and forth without letting the straw bridge collapse!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required because beads and straw pieces are small and can be a choking hazard.

The Wobbly Cup Tower

Steps:

Place one paper baking cup upside down on a flat surface.
Carefully set a craft stick across the center of the cup.
Balance a second baking cup on one end of the stick.
Balance a third baking cup on the other end.
Add another craft stick across the top of these two cups.
Continue adding cups and sticks to build a tall tower.
See how high you can go before it wobbles!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small materials like craft sticks can be a safety concern if placed in the mouth.

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

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

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.