Fine Motor Control - Page 39 of 81

Foil Maze Marble Glide

Steps:

Lay out the aluminum foil pan on a flat table.
Take three pipe cleaners and bend them into curvy, wavy lines.
Use masking tape to secure the pipe cleaners inside the pan as walls.
Place a marble at one end of the winding path.
Use a pointer finger to gently push the marble through the maze.
Try to keep the marble inside the pipe cleaner borders the whole time.
When you finish, tilt the pan to roll the marble back to the start.

Safety Tip:
Marbles are a significant choking hazard. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure all marbles are collected and stored out of reach after the activity.

Baking Cup Coin Balance

Steps:

Fill the Aluminium Foil Pan halfway with clear water.
Place one Baking Cup carefully onto the water surface.
Use a pincer grasp to pick up one coin.
Gently drop the coin into the center of the cup.
Continue adding coins to see how many it carries.
Try to keep the cup from tipping or sinking.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Coins are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected after play.

Resistance Fold & Tweeze Art

Steps:

Give your child the index cards. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cards into small, rough, 2-inch squares.
Take one torn square. Use strong finger force to fold it tightly in half, then fold it again to create a stiff, resistant 3D shape.
Draw a simple line or shape onto the cardboard base using the liquid glue bottle. Encourage controlled squeezing.
Press the stiff, folded cardboard shapes firmly onto the wet glue line. Use maximum force to create a stable, textured sculpture or wall.
Place the pile of sequins nearby. Hold the tweezers like a pencil in your dominant hand.
Use the tweezers to carefully pick up one tiny sequin. Transfer it to the cardboard structure.
Press the sequin onto the resistant folds to decorate your 3D art. Continue this until all the folded pieces are covered in sparkle!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and small, crumpled paper pieces are very small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Cardboard Tunnel Connectors

Steps:

Use markers to draw several long strips (about 1 inch wide) onto the sturdy cardboard.
Challenge your child to use both hands to roll one cardboard strip tightly into a narrow tube or ‘tunnel.’ Secure the tube seam completely with masking tape.
Repeat this process until you have four or five finished cardboard tubes. Encourage tight rolling for resistance.
Take two pipe cleaners and twist them together tightly to create one stiff, thick connector stick. Repeat this step for each join you plan to make.
Ask your child to hold one cardboard tube firmly steady with their helper hand. Push one stiff connector halfway into the end of the first tube.
Pick up a second cardboard tube. Use a strong, controlled push to slide the second tube onto the exposed end of the connector. Continue joining the tubes to build a long, rigid tunnel structure.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Adults should manage the scissors for cutting the cardboard strips.

Tight Weave Screw Frame

Steps:

Use the Markers to draw a sturdy frame or square onto the Cardboard. Use the Scissors to cut this frame out (parent assistance may be needed).
Take the Index Cards and cut them into long, colorful strips for weaving. Draw a simple pattern on them using markers.
Glue the beginning of each strip to the back of the Cardboard frame. Weave the strips tightly across the frame, then secure the ends with Glue on the back.
Using the Hole Puncher, squeeze hard to punch 4 holes straight through the woven layers and the Cardboard frame. This requires strong effort!
Stabilize the frame with your helper hand. Push a Bolt straight through one of the tight, punched holes.
Pick up a Nut with a precise Pincer Grasp. Twist the Nut firmly onto the Bolt until the woven strips are compressed tightly. Repeat until all holes are secured.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required when using scissors. Ensure the child handles the nuts and bolts appropriately, keeping them away from the mouth, nose, and ears.