Intrinsic Muscle Development - Page 8 of 23

Paper Nugget Transfer Challenge

Steps:

Tear the construction paper into small strips using both hands together.
Use only your fingertips to crumple each strip tightly into a dense, hard paper ‘nugget.’ Squeeze hard for maximum strength input!
Place the finished nuggets on the table. Set the paper cup nearby as your target.
Hold the paper cup steady with your helper hand to keep it stable.
Pick up the tongs. Squeeze them open with a strong finger pinch to grab one paper nugget.
Carefully transfer the nugget and drop it precisely into the waiting paper cup target. Repeat until all nuggets are sorted.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small, crumpled paper pieces pose a potential choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are collected immediately after play.

Cardboard Connector Links

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut the cardboard into 6 to 8 small, sturdy building shapes, such as squares or strips.
Use the markers to draw small target dots near the edges of each cardboard link.
Encourage your child to twist each pipe cleaner tightly into a small, stiff ring or loop. Place these finished rings in the container.
Challenge your child to hold one cardboard link firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the surface.
Squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto each marker dot to create connection holes. Squeezing hard provides deep strength input!
Now, hold two punched cardboard links together, lining up the holes perfectly.
Use a pipe cleaner ring to link them by pushing the stiff ring through both holes. Continue linking to build a strong 3D structure.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small pipe cleaner pieces and cardboard punch-outs are choking hazards for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Corner Fold & Weave Push

Steps:

Give your child a piece of cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cardboard into rough, postage stamp-sized pieces.
Take one torn cardboard piece. Fold a corner tightly in half, then fold it over one more time to create a dense, narrow point.
Place the finished folded pieces in the plastic container. These are your weaving targets.
Take a pipe cleaner and curl one end into a loop to create a dull ‘needle.’
Hold the folded cardboard piece firmly steady with your helper hand.
Use your dominant hand to grip the pipe cleaner needle with a strong pincer grasp. Push the needle straight through the tight folded point of the cardboard.
Repeat this process, pushing the pipe cleaner through each resistant cardboard fold.

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. Ensure any cut ends of the pipe cleaners are curled safely before starting the activity.

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the cardboard firmly onto a stable table. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections if needed.
Encourage your child to wrap one pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil. Slide the pencil out to create a small, dense coil. Repeat this action to create six colorful coils.
Use small pieces of masking tape to secure one end of each finished coil firmly onto the cardboard base. Space the coils out slightly in a winding path.
Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 18 inches). Tie one end of the ribbon securely onto the first coil target.
Challenge your child to use their fingertips to carefully push the loose end of the ribbon straight through the center of the next tight coil.
Continue this weaving action. The child should push the ribbon through each coil one by one until they reach the end of the coiled line.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required, as sharp scissors are used for preparation. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled or tucked safely. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

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.