Forearm Pronation - Page 2 of 4

Weighted Reel Rescue

Steps:

Adult Prep: Secure the plastic container firmly onto the center of the cardboard base using masking tape. This makes a stable reel base. Tape one craft stick across the container opening, creating a spinning reel handle. Tie the yarn to the handle and attach the bean bag to the loose end.
Place the cardboard base on the floor. Unwind the yarn completely, setting the bean bag target a few feet away. Hold the container base firmly with your helper hand to keep it from sliding.
Use your working hand to grip the reel handle. Begin twisting the stick repeatedly (forearm rotation) to slowly reel the yarn back in. Keep reeling until the heavy bean bag reaches the container. Repeat the reeling and unwinding.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the cardboard base is firmly anchored so it does not tip or slide when the child applies rotational force. Monitor the child’s body position to ensure they sit or kneel stably while working.

Resistant Frame Weave

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut a sturdy square from the cardboard. Use the masking tape to wrap a dense, continuous layer around the entire perimeter of the square, sticky side OUT. Press the sticky tape firmly onto the cardboard base.
Place the cardboard frame on a stable table. Encourage your child to bend and straighten the pipe cleaners until they are stiff sticks.
Ask your child to hold the cardboard frame firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base.
Using the working hand, aim the pipe cleaner tip at the narrow, sticky frame edge. Use a strong push and a twisting motion to thread the pipe cleaner all the way through the sticky tape layer.
Continue this pushing and weaving action until the entire sticky frame is filled with colorful, rigid pipe cleaners.

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. Adults must handle the scissors during preparation.

Spiral Stick Rotator

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a piece of construction paper to fit the container lid. Secure this paper tightly onto the lid with masking tape.
Cut one tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the center of the taped paper lid. This is your resistant slot.
Use markers to draw tight, colorful stripes or a spiral design around several craft sticks. Make sure the designs are dense.
Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
Pick up a striped stick. Challenge them to gently push the end of the stick into the narrow slot.
They must twist the stick repeatedly (rotating their forearm) to guide the colored pattern through the resistant slot.
Continue twisting and pushing until the entire stick is posted inside. Repeat this with all the prepared sticks!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the narrow slot is only used for the craft sticks. Collect any small pieces of torn paper or tape immediately.

Sponge Stick Rotation

Steps:

Fill the bowl with water. Soak the sponge completely. Ask your child to wring the sponge out tightly, making it damp and dense.
Place the damp, dense sponge firmly inside the plastic container to keep it stable on the table.
Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Pick up one craft stick using a comfortable grasp with your working hand.
Aim the flat end of the stick at the sponge. Use a strong, twisting motion to screw the stick halfway into the resistant sponge.
Continue twisting all the craft sticks into the sponge until the surface looks like a prickly cushion.
Challenge your child to reverse the movement: use a strong twist and pull to remove the sticks one by one. Try switching hands for stabilization.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the child remains seated while working and only uses the craft sticks for the intended twisting action.

Twist Cap Treasure Drop

Steps:

Place the buttons in a plastic container next to the empty bottles.
Challenge your child to hold one bottle tightly with their helper hand to stabilize it on the table.
Use the working hand to twist the cap off the bottle completely. Encourage smooth forearm rotation (twisting).
Pick up one button using only the thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
Carefully drop the button into the narrow opening of the bottle. This requires strong aim and distal finger control.
Once the button is inside, pick up the cap and twist it firmly back onto the bottle using the opposite rotation. Make sure it is tight!
Repeat this entire sequence of twist-off, drop-in, and twist-on until all the buttons are delivered into the bottle.

Safety Tip:
Buttons are small, hard objects. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity, as they pose a choking hazard for children under five.