Skill: Motor Planning

Motor planning is the ability to assess a motor activity, plan and organize how to carry out that motor activity, and finally implement motor skills to achieve that motor activity.

Motor planning leads to the ability to carry out a motor skill automatically after enough practice.

The Textured Cardboard Path

The Textured Cardboard Path

Steps:

  • Help your child cut several long strips of cardboard to make the path.
  • Use masking tape to secure the strips to the floor in a straight line.
  • Glue small pieces of soft sponge and rough yarn along the path.
  • Ask your child to take off their shoes and socks.
  • Have them walk slowly while keeping their feet inside the cardboard edges.
  • Encourage them to describe how each section feels as they step on it!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to prevent slips or falls while they walk on the textured path. Make sure the cardboard is taped down firmly to the floor.

The Silver Pan Web Weaver

The Silver Pan Web Weaver

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw ten dots around the rim of the pan.
  • Use a pencil to poke a hole through each dot.
  • Tie one end of the yarn to the first hole.
  • Thread the yarn across the pan to another hole.
  • Continue until the silver web is finished!

Safety Tip:
Poking holes with a pencil requires steady hands. Always supervise your child to prevent any pokes to the skin.

The Fuzzy Cardboard Letter Wrap

The Fuzzy Cardboard Letter Wrap

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw a large, chunky letter on a piece of cardboard.
  • Help your child use scissors to cut the letter out.
  • Tape the end of a long piece of yarn to the back of the cardboard letter.
  • Show your child how to wrap the yarn around and around the letter.
  • Encourage them to use their helper hand to turn the cardboard while the other hand wraps.
  • Once the letter is fully covered in fuzzy yarn, tape the end to the back.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or handling long pieces of yarn.

The Sticky Landing Fan

The Sticky Landing Fan

Steps:

  • Place three long strips of masking tape on the floor, sticky side up.
  • Set a colorful feather on the floor about two feet away from the tape.
  • Give your child a paper plate to hold with both hands.
  • Show them how to wave the plate up and down to create wind.
  • Help them fan the feather toward the sticky tape landing pad.
  • Watch as the feather flies through the air and sticks to the tape!
  • Ask your child to use their fingers to peel the feather off and start again.

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put feathers or masking tape in their mouth.

The Craft Stick Picture Puzzle

The Craft Stick Picture Puzzle

Steps:

  • Line up five or six craft sticks side-by-side on a flat table.
  • Place a long strip of masking tape across the back to hold them together.
  • Flip the sticks over so the tape is on the bottom.
  • Ask your child to draw a simple picture across all the sticks using markers.
  • Carefully peel the masking tape off the back.
  • Mix up the craft sticks so the picture is out of order.
  • Challenge your child to put the sticks back in the right order to reveal the picture!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child while they use markers to ensure they stay on the craft sticks. Check the sticks for splinters before starting the activity.