Skill: Finger Isolation

Being able to use one finger at a time, like pointing with the index finger or pressing a specific button, without the other fingers moving along with it.

Tape Tear Puzzle

Tape Tear Puzzle

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘puzzle’ by taking a flat piece of cardboard (like the side of a shoe box) and covering the entire surface with large, overlapping strips of colorful masking tape, running them in various directions.
  • Present the cardboard to your toddler and encourage them to use their fingertips to explore the edges of the tape. Show them how to pinch the tape edge with their index finger and thumb.
  • Guide your child to use their non-working hand to hold the cardboard flat on the table, providing ‘proximal stability,’ while their other hand peels the tape off, tearing it into smaller pieces.
  • For an extra challenge, place a few favorite stickers underneath some of the tape strips as a surprise reward once the tape is successfully removed.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise toddlers closely during this activity. Ensure that torn pieces of masking tape are discarded immediately to prevent them from being placed in the mouth, as they pose a choking hazard.

Carousel Clip Spin

Carousel Clip Spin

Steps:

  • Use markers to decorate the paper plate or cardboard circle (your carousel base).
  • Take 6 to 8 craft sticks. Use the clothespins to clip these sticks firmly around the edge of the plate. Make sure the sticks point straight out like spokes.
  • Place the plate on a stable surface. Use your helper hand to hold the plate steady.
  • Challenge your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to pinch and flick one of the craft sticks. The goal is to make the entire carousel spin slowly.
  • Try flicking different sticks to change the direction or speed of the spin. Focus on keeping the stabilizing hand still for a challenge.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the child maintains good posture. Encourage them to sit with their feet flat on the floor to promote core stability while working on this fine motor task.

Fingerprint Turkey

For this activity, you will need washable tempera paint or finger paint in 4 colors (e.g. yellow, red, pink, and brown).

Ask the child to dip the tip of the thumb into the brown color and press the thumb onto the paper twice. Thumbprints should be one next to the other. This will be the body of the turkey.

Ask the child to dip the tip of the index finger into the pink color and add a row of pink fingerprints above the brown ones. This will be the feathers.

Ask the child to add more rows of fingerprints (feathers) in yellow and red colors.

Glue the wiggle eyes to the brown turkey body. Add feet using the markers or crayons.

Fine Motor Marble Maze

Marble Maze playing

In this activity, we create a marble maze to promote fine motor skills.

Start by gluing the straws on the cardboard. You will need to glue each straw on the opposite side as follows:

  • Glue the 1st straw aligned to the left edge of the cardboard
  • Glue next straw aligned to the right side of the cardboard
  • Keep gluing straws all the way to the bottom of the cardboard
  • Make sure to create a space for the marble to go through between the straws
  • The end result should look like this:
    Marble Maze straws

Let the glue dry.

We used a gallon size zip lock bag but you can use a smaller zip lock bag to create a smaller maze.

At the bottom edge of the zip lock bag, cut a small slit. Make sure you cut it on the side the marble will come out from.

Once the glue is dry and the straws are secured, insert the cardboard into the ziplock bag.

Close the ziplock bag almost all the way, leaving a small opening for the marble to fit in.

Put the marble through the opening and start moving it with your finger through the maze until it comes out at the bottom.

You can alternate the fingers you use to move the marble or you can use both hands to hold the cardboard and move it from side to side, letting the marble slide out.

Tactile Paint

For this activity, use a gallon size Ziplock bag.

Place approximately 1/2 cup of tempera paint in the ziplock bag, remove air and seal. Work the paint around until it filled the bag.

Have child make lines, shapes or letters by moving his finger along outside of the bag.

As an alternative, you can use shaving cream mixed with food coloring instead of the tempera paint.