Grasp - Page 2 of 23

Tension Track Push

Steps:

Twist three pipe cleaners together tightly to create 4-5 thick, stiff ‘resistance bands.’
Stretch and secure these bands tightly across the sturdy cardboard base using masking tape underneath.
The bands should be spaced out to create narrow tracks for the beans.
Place the beans and craft sticks in the container. Ask the child to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
Pick up one bean using a neat pincer grasp. Load it onto the tip of the craft stick.
Aim the loaded stick at the cardboard track between two tight bands.
Use a strong, controlled push to slide the bean under the taut pipe cleaner band.
Continue pushing the bean along the track until it reaches the end. Repeat until all tracks are filled with beans.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beans, pipe cleaners, and small cardboard pieces are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Vertical Tear & Crumple Press

Steps:

Secure the cardboard piece vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape.
Use long strips of masking tape, sticky side OUT, to create a large shape (like a circle or square) onto the cardboard surface.
Give your toddler strips of construction paper. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the paper into small, rough pieces.
Challenge your child to crumple each torn piece tightly into a small, dense ball using only their fingertips.
Hold the cardboard steady with the helper hand. Pick up one dense paper ball using a pincer grasp.
Use a strong, controlled push to firmly press the paper ball onto the vertical sticky tape shape. Repeat until the shape is covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Torn paper pieces are a choking hazard for children under three. Ensure your child remains standing or sitting stably and does not attempt to put materials in their mouth.

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Steps:

Fill the container with water and soak the sponge fully. Wring it out hard so it is damp and dense, then press it firmly back into the container base.
Adult Prep: Tie one bead securely onto the end of a 12-inch piece of yarn. Tie the opposite end of the yarn onto the middle of one craft stick.
Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
Using the working hand, aim the craft stick tip at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick and the attached yarn/bead completely through the resistant sponge.
Pull the stick back out, feeling the resistance and drag of the yarn as it comes through the wet sponge. Repeat this push and pull action until your child tires.

Safety Tip:
Beads and yarn are small materials. Constant, direct adult supervision is required to ensure these items are not ingested, as they pose a choking hazard.

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.