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 Wobbly Cup Tower

The Wobbly Cup Tower

Steps:

  • Place one paper baking cup upside down on a flat surface.
  • Carefully set a craft stick across the center of the cup.
  • Balance a second baking cup on one end of the stick.
  • Balance a third baking cup on the other end.
  • Add another craft stick across the top of these two cups.
  • Continue adding cups and sticks to build a tall tower.
  • See how high you can go before it wobbles!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small materials like craft sticks can be a safety concern if placed in the mouth.

Newspaper Nest Foot Deliver

Newspaper Nest Foot Deliver

Steps:

  • Crumple several sheets of newspaper into large, loose balls with your child.
  • Place a basket on a rug at one end of the room.
  • Put the newspaper balls in a pile a few feet away from the basket.
  • Have your child sit on a pillow on the floor, facing the basket.
  • Encourage them to lean back and brace themselves with their hands behind them.
  • Challenge them to pick up one newspaper ball using only their feet.
  • They must lift their legs carefully and drop the ball into the basket.
  • See how many nests they can deliver without using their hands!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor is not slippery and the area is clear of sharp furniture corners.

The Sturdy Newspaper Bridge

The Sturdy Newspaper Bridge

Steps:

  • Lay a sheet of newspaper flat on a table.
  • Start at one corner and roll the paper into a very tight, thin tube.
  • Use a small piece of masking tape to secure the end.
  • Repeat this until you have at least ten strong paper tubes.
  • Place two stacks of blocks about six inches apart on the table.
  • Tape your paper tubes together to create a flat platform.
  • Lay the platform across the blocks to form a bridge.
  • Gently place more blocks on top of the bridge to see how much weight it can hold!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to help with the building and design of the bridge. Be careful with any small tape pieces that might stick to other surfaces.

Ribbon Rescue Basket Mission

Ribbon Rescue Basket Mission

Steps:

  • Grab a plastic basket with holes on the sides.
  • Place a favorite stuffed animal inside the basket.
  • Take long pieces of ribbon and weave them through the holes.
  • Crisscross the ribbon over the top to trap the toy.
  • Ask your child to rescue the toy by unweaving the ribbon.
  • They must pull each ribbon completely out through the holes.
  • Encourage them to use one hand to hold the basket and the other to pull.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the long ribbons do not get tangled around the child.

The Heavy Balloon Balance Walk

The Heavy Balloon Balance Walk

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it for your child.
  • Use masking tape to create a long, straight path on the floor.
  • Ask your child to stand at the start of the line.
  • Have them hold the balloon in front of them with both hands.
  • Place one bean bag on top of the balloon.
  • Challenge them to walk along the tape line.
  • They must keep the bean bag from sliding off the balloon!
  • If the bag falls, they should stop, reset, and try again.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the walking path is clear of furniture and trip hazards to prevent falls while your child is looking at the balloon.