Fine Motor Control - Page 62 of 79

Sticky Shape Press

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a large, simple shape (like a heart or square) onto the construction paper.
Tear a long strip of masking tape. Encourage your child to tear the tape into many small, postage stamp-sized pieces.
Challenge the child to use a precise pincer grasp to fill the drawn shape completely with the small tape pieces.
Pick up the craft stick. Show the child how to hold it like a pencil, keeping the wrist slightly bent backward (extended).
Use the craft stick to rub and press down firmly over every piece of tape. Applying strong pressure provides excellent heavy work for their hands.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Ensure the child understands the materials are only for crafting and not for placing in the mouth.

Stick Target Launch

Steps:

Set up the launcher: Use masking tape to secure one end of a craft stick firmly onto the top edge of a small box. Leave the majority of the stick sticking out like a lever.
Create the target zone by using masking tape to mark a square or circle on the construction paper. Place the paper a short distance from the launch box.
Load the launcher by placing a pom-pom near the free end of the craft stick. Use a precise pincer grasp to place it gently.
Ask your child to hold the box steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to provide stability for the launch.
Challenge them to use their dominant hand’s index finger to flick the end of the craft stick, aiming to launch the pom-pom onto the target.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Pom-poms are small and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all small pieces are collected after play.

Resistance Band Rescue

Steps:

Adult Prep: Take 2 or 3 pipe cleaners and twist them tightly together to create a thick, stiff band.
Tightly wrap 4 to 5 of these thick pipe cleaner bands around the lid or body of the plastic container. Make sure they are secure and difficult to remove.
Place the container on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the container firmly with their non-dominant (helper) hand to keep it steady.
Ask the child to use their dominant hand to grasp a band using only their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
Encourage them to use controlled effort to pull the tight band off the container. Try to keep the container hand perfectly still.
Count how many bands are rescued, and then wrap them back on to play again.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure that the pipe cleaners are fully unwrapped and collected immediately after the activity.

Clip Straightener Stack

Steps:

Secure the paper plate on the table. Use your child’s helper hand to stabilize it. Roll the playdough into a long log shape and press it firmly onto the plate to create a resistant base.
Pick up one paper clip. Encourage your child to use both hands together to pull and bend the paper clip until it is completely straight. This requires concentration and effort.
Using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger), push the sharp end of the straightened wire deep into the resistant playdough roll. Continue this process until the plate is full of straight wire posts.

Safety Tip:
Paper clips can become sharp once straightened. Adults must supervise closely to ensure the wires are only used in the playdough and not near the face. Monitor for choking if the child mouths small pieces of playdough.

Tear Tape Art

Steps:

Use markers to draw a simple picture or shape on the construction paper. Keep the lines wide and easy to fill.
Give the child long strips of masking tape. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the tape into tiny, postage stamp-sized pieces. Drop the torn pieces into the plastic container.
Challenge the child to use a precise pincer grasp to pick up the small tape pieces. Press them firmly onto the marker lines, filling in the design like a mosaic.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children closely during this activity. Ensure that torn pieces of masking tape are not placed in the mouth or near the face.