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.

Corner Fold & Weave Push

Steps:

  • Give your child a piece of cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cardboard into rough, postage stamp-sized pieces.
  • Take one torn cardboard piece. Fold a corner tightly in half, then fold it over one more time to create a dense, narrow point.
  • Place the finished folded pieces in the plastic container. These are your weaving targets.
  • Take a pipe cleaner and curl one end into a loop to create a dull ‘needle.’
  • Hold the folded cardboard piece firmly steady with your helper hand.
  • Use your dominant hand to grip the pipe cleaner needle with a strong pincer grasp. Push the needle straight through the tight folded point of the cardboard.
  • Repeat this process, pushing the pipe cleaner through each resistant cardboard fold.

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. Ensure any cut ends of the pipe cleaners are curled safely before starting the activity.

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Steps:

  • Fill the container with water and soak the sponge fully. Wring it out hard so it is damp and dense, then press it firmly back into the container base.
  • Adult Prep: Tie one bead securely onto the end of a 12-inch piece of yarn. Tie the opposite end of the yarn onto the middle of one craft stick.
  • Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
  • Using the working hand, aim the craft stick tip at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick and the attached yarn/bead completely through the resistant sponge.
  • Pull the stick back out, feeling the resistance and drag of the yarn as it comes through the wet sponge. Repeat this push and pull action until your child tires.

Safety Tip:
Beads and yarn are small materials. Constant, direct adult supervision is required to ensure these items are not ingested, as they pose a choking hazard.

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the cardboard firmly onto a stable table. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections if needed.
  • Encourage your child to wrap one pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil. Slide the pencil out to create a small, dense coil. Repeat this action to create six colorful coils.
  • Use small pieces of masking tape to secure one end of each finished coil firmly onto the cardboard base. Space the coils out slightly in a winding path.
  • Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 18 inches). Tie one end of the ribbon securely onto the first coil target.
  • Challenge your child to use their fingertips to carefully push the loose end of the ribbon straight through the center of the next tight coil.
  • Continue this weaving action. The child should push the ribbon through each coil one by one until they reach the end of the coiled line.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required, as sharp scissors are used for preparation. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled or tucked safely. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

Paper Crumple Pin Push

Paper Crumple Pin Push

Steps:

  • Tear the construction paper into small pieces. Encourage your child to crumple these pieces tightly into dense, hard balls using both hands.
  • Spread a thick layer of glue or use masking tape loops to secure the crumpled paper balls onto the cardboard base, covering the surface completely. Let it dry to create a resistant layer.
  • Place the finished board on a stable table. Hold the cardboard base firmly steady with your helper hand. This is important for proximal stability.
  • Pick up one Q-Tip using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Aim the Q-Tip at the resistant paper layer.
  • Challenge your child to use a strong, controlled push to pierce the Q-Tip straight through the dense paper. Feel the heavy work input!
  • Repeat this pushing action until the entire board is filled with Q-Tip ‘pins.’
  • Use a precise pincer grasp to place a pom-pom onto the top of each Q-Tip stem for decoration.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips and small pom-poms are choking hazards for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Resistant Yarn Unravel

Resistant Yarn Unravel

Steps:

  • Press a large lump of firm playdough onto the heavy block to create a dense base.
  • Wet a long piece of yarn slightly to increase the friction and resistance.
  • Tightly wrap the damp yarn all the way around the playdough-covered block. Leave a small yarn tail sticking out.
  • Place the wrapped block on a stable table. Hold the base firmly steady with your helper hand.
  • Use your working hand to pinch the yarn tail with a strong pincer grasp.
  • Pull the yarn steadily and forcefully to unravel it from the resistant playdough anchor.
  • Repeat the wrapping and unwrapping process to continue the heavy work challenge.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Yarn and playdough are small objects. They pose a choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure the child maintains a stable seated position while pulling.