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 Cardboard Ring Finger Hop

The Cardboard Ring Finger Hop

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut an empty paper roll into five thin rings.
  • Let your child decorate each ring with a different color using the markers.
  • Tape the bottom of each ring in a straight line onto a flat cardboard sheet.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard steady with their non-dominant helper hand.
  • Have them walk their index and middle fingers through the rings like a tiny person.
  • Challenge them to hop through the rings as fast as they can without touching the sides!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent any small scrapes during play.

The Foil Pan Rice Sort

The Foil Pan Rice Sort

Steps:

  • Pour a large bag of dry rice into the mixing bowl.
  • Drop ten colorful buttons into the rice and mix them in with your hands.
  • Pour the mixture into the shallow aluminium foil pan so the rice is spread out.
  • Place a paper cup at the corner of the pan to act as the treasure chest.
  • Ask your child to hold the pan steady with their helper hand.
  • Have them use a spoon to scoop through the rice and find the hidden buttons.
  • Once a button is found, use a pincer grasp to pick it up and drop it into the cup!
  • Repeat until all the treasures have been safely moved into the cup.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small buttons and rice grains are choking hazards and should never be put in the mouth.

The Index Card Tweezer Tunnel

The Index Card Tweezer Tunnel

Steps:

  • Fold three index cards into arches to make small tunnels.
  • Tape the arches in a straight line onto a flat table.
  • Place a colorful bead at the start of the tunnel row.
  • Ask your child to hold the table surface with their helper hand.
  • Use the tweezers to push the bead all the way through the line.
  • Finally, use the tweezers to pick up the bead and drop it into a cup.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small beads are a choking hazard. Keep all materials away from the mouth.

The Spiky Paper Roll Tower

The Spiky Paper Roll Tower

Steps:

  • Use your markers to draw several colorful dots on an empty paper roll.
  • Help your child use the hole puncher to click a hole through every dot.
  • Use masking tape to stick the bottom of the paper roll to a flat cardboard base.
  • Ask your child to hold the base steady with their helper hand.
  • Use the other hand to slide a straw through one hole and out a hole on the other side.
  • Continue until the paper roll looks like a spiky tower full of straws.
  • Use a pincer grasp to carefully place one bead on the end of every straw!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small beads and cut straw pieces are choking hazards. Keep all materials away from the mouth.

The Metal Button Spire

The Metal Button Spire

Steps:

  • Use your pencil to poke a hole in the center of a sturdy cardboard square.
  • Push a long bolt through the hole so the threads point straight up.
  • Place a button onto the bolt so it rests flat on the cardboard.
  • Pick up a nut and twist it onto the bolt using your fingertips.
  • Spin the nut all the way down until it touches the button.
  • Add another button and then twist on a second nut.
  • Continue stacking buttons and nuts to build a tall, colorful spire!
  • Use your non-dominant hand to hold the cardboard base steady.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Nuts and bolts are small parts that can be a choking hazard. Ensure all materials are used safely.