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 Heavy Cargo Foot Push

The Heavy Cargo Foot Push

Steps:

  • Place a large cardboard box on a smooth floor surface like wood or tile.
  • Ask your toddler to help fill the box with their favorite stuffed animals.
  • Have your child sit on the floor with their back against a sturdy wall or couch.
  • Place the weighted box directly in front of their feet.
  • Encourage them to bend their knees and push the box away using both feet.
  • See how far the cargo can go with one big push!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the floor is clear of any small objects that could be a trip hazard. Check the stuffed animals for small buttons or eyes that could be a choking hazard if they become loose.

Beaded Joint Dancer

Beaded Joint Dancer

Steps:

  • Draw a person or animal on construction paper with markers.
  • Cut out the head, body, and limbs as separate pieces.
  • Use a hole puncher to make a hole at each limb joint.
  • Punch matching holes on the shoulders and hips of the body.
  • Thread a piece of yarn through the holes to join pieces.
  • Tie the yarn loosely so the dancer can move its limbs.
  • Slide beads onto the yarn ends to add color and weight.
  • Use masking tape to hang your dancer on a door.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they use a hole puncher to prevent finger pinches. Keep small beads away from younger siblings to avoid choking.

The Masking Tape Web Rescue

The Masking Tape Web Rescue

Steps:

  • Place a small stuffed animal inside a plastic basket.
  • Stretch several long strips of masking tape across the top of the basket in a web pattern.
  • Make sure the tape is pulled tight so it stays in place during the rescue.
  • Hand your child the safety scissors and show them where to start cutting the web.
  • Challenge them to cut through every tape strip until the opening is clear for the toy.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors to ensure they stay safe. Ensure the basket is stable to prevent slipping.

Balloon Waddle Race

Balloon Waddle Race

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to make a straight path on a smooth floor.
  • Blow up a balloon and tie it for your child.
  • Ask your child to stand at one end of the path.
  • Place the balloon between their knees.
  • They must squeeze it to keep it in place.
  • Have them walk along the tape line to the finish.
  • If the balloon drops, they should reset and try again!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children around balloons. Broken balloon pieces are a choking hazard. If a balloon pops, pick up the pieces immediately.

The Sticky Maze Jewel Hunt

The Sticky Maze Jewel Hunt

Steps:

  • Place the cardboard on a stable table.
  • Use markers to draw a winding path from one end to the other.
  • Fold small strips of masking tape so the sticky side faces out.
  • Stick these tape loops along the edges of your drawn path.
  • Place several beads at different spots inside the path.
  • Give your child the tweezers to hold with their writing hand.
  • Challenge them to pick up each bead carefully.
  • They must lift the beads without touching the sticky walls.
  • Move the beads to a plastic container to win the game!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Small beads are a choking hazard. Ensure the tweezers are used only for the activity.