Skill: Grasp

How the hand holds an object. A mature grasp allows a child to hold a pencil efficiently for writing, while a strong grasp helps them hold onto monkey bars.

The Wobbly Tightrope Balance

The Wobbly Tightrope Balance

Steps:

  • Use scissors to cut a long cardboard strip, about ten inches long.
  • Use your markers and ruler to draw a straight line down the middle.
  • Color the left side blue and the right side orange.
  • Squeeze two clothespins and clip them to the bottom to make legs.
  • Stand the cardboard strip upright on a flat table.
  • Hand your child a basket of colorful clothespins.
  • Ask them to hold the wobbly cardboard steady with their helper hand.
  • Use their pinching fingers to clip clothespins onto the top edge.
  • Challenge them to match the color of the pins to the cardboard side.
  • Gently place a pom-pom into each clipped pin to finish!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child closely during play. Clothespins can pinch little fingers, and pom-poms are a choking hazard.

The Golf Tee Nail Salon

The Golf Tee Nail Salon

Steps:

  • Place the Styrofoam block flat on a table.
  • Use colorful markers to color the flat, round top of each golf ball tee.
  • Explain to your child that these tees are fingers getting a manicure.
  • Ask your child to hold a tee tightly with their pinching fingers.
  • Use the other hand to hold the Styrofoam block steady.
  • Push the pointed end of the tee straight down into the Styrofoam.
  • Line up five tees in a row to create a hand.
  • Carefully place a small sticker on top of each colored tee to finish the style!

Safety Tip:
Golf tees have pointed ends. Always supervise your child during play to prevent accidental pokes or swallowing of small stickers.

The Pencil Top Target Spin

The Pencil Top Target Spin

Steps:

  • Use a small bowl to trace a circle onto your cardboard.
  • Carefully use scissors to cut the circle out.
  • Let your child draw a bright spiral pattern on the circle using markers.
  • Push the pencil tip straight through the center of the cardboard circle.
  • Make sure the cardboard fits snugly near the bottom of the pencil.
  • Lay your butcher paper flat on the floor and secure it with masking tape.
  • Use your markers to draw three nesting target circles on the paper.
  • Hold the pencil top with your thumb and first two fingers.
  • Twist your fingers quickly to spin the top onto the target circles!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the pencil tip is not overly sharp to prevent accidental pokes during the spinning motion.

The Cardboard Yarn Harp

The Cardboard Yarn Harp

Steps:

  • Use scissors to cut a large rectangle from your cardboard.
  • Cut a square out of the middle to make a frame.
  • Let your child decorate the cardboard frame using bright markers.
  • Tape one end of a piece of yarn to the back of the frame.
  • Wrap the yarn around the frame to create several harp strings.
  • Secure the other end of the yarn with masking tape.
  • Ask your child to hold the frame steady with their helper hand.
  • Challenge them to squeeze and clip clothespins onto the yarn strings.
  • Encourage them to cross their arm over to clip the opposite side!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent minor scrapes.

The Balloon Tongs Catch

The Balloon Tongs Catch

Steps:

  • Blow up a bright balloon and tie it securely.
  • Place an empty basket on the floor across the room.
  • Give your child a pair of sturdy tongs to hold.
  • Toss the balloon gently into the air for them.
  • Challenge your child to squeeze and catch the balloon using only the tongs.
  • Have them carry the balloon carefully and drop it into the basket.
  • If the balloon drops, they must start over from the beginning.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Discard any popped balloon pieces immediately to prevent a choking hazard.