Having enough power in the small hand muscles to do things like open a lunchbox, squeeze a glue bottle, or hold a pencil without getting tired.
Place two containers or buckets on opposite sides of the room or the area you play at.
Fill up one of the containers with water.
You may add food coloring if you wish.
Have the child transfer the water from one container to the other using a squeeze bottle or an eyedropper.
Place the pompoms on a plate or in a container.
For each clothespin, have the child reach out and pick 5-6 small pompoms, using pincer grasp to pick them up, and place in front of him.
Ask the child to apply glue on the wide part of the clothespin, and use the tweezers to place one pompom at a time on the glue.
While the glue is drying, either draw 2-3 leaves on green construction paper or let the child draw them. Have the child cut out the leaves. If the child has difficulty cutting, we recommend providing thicker lines.
Once the glue is all dry, instruct the child to glue the googly eyes on the first pompom. Make sure to glue on the clothespin side that opens up.
Ask the child to put one caterpillar on each leaf by opening the clothespin with one hand, and holding the leaf with the other hand.
For each animal, you will need to use 1 craft stick and 3 pipe cleaners.
The craft stick will be used as the animal’s body and the pipe cleaners will be used as the front and back legs, as well as the tail.
Let the child find the middle point of the pipe cleaner.
Ask the child to twist the pipe cleaner around the craft stick from both ends of the pipe cleaner along one side of the craft stick.
Ask the child to stop twisting the pipe cleaner when about 1.5″ is left from each side. These can be shaped like the legs by bending the ends of the pipe cleaner forward.
Repeat the pipe cleaner twisting above on the other end of the craft stick.
Cut a small piece of the 3rd pipe cleaner and let the child glue it to the end of the craft stick. This will be used as the animal’s tale.
The child can now draw a face on the front end of the craft stick or use stickers to decorate his animal.
Instruct the child to turn the cup upside down and dip the rim into the paint. Fingers should spread across the bottom of the cup for a firm grasp.
Place the paint covered rim firmly on the paper to make the ring. Repeat desired amount of times with each color chosen. The cup should be re-dipped for each new ring.
Be sure to instruct the child to keep the cups on the designated color plate so the colors do not run and blend. (E.g. blue cup with blue paint, red with red, etc.)
Benefits of this activity:
1. Holding the cup with the fingers all spread apart strengthen the thumb muscles and deep muscles in the hand that play a key role in the dexterity required for moving a pencil for writing and drawing.
2. A motor sequence occurs as the child dips, places the cup on the paper and repeats this.
3. Eye-hand motor coordination occurs as the child plans where to place the cup. The dramatic colors draw the child’s eyes to the paper.
4. Matching colors-correct plate for the paint covered cup
5. Planning a design may occur.
Note: For children with tactile sensitivities, be sure to have a towel or source for washing hands nearby.
Place the beads in an open container.
Ask the child to dip the paint brush in glue or for tactile perception use his fingers. Cover one side of the plastic container with glue.
Using 2 fingers pick up one bead at a time and stick it on the plastic container.
Rotate the plastic container and repeat covering each side with glue and sticking beads on it.
For grading, use the tweezers to pick up the beads and stick on the plastic container.
