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 Paper Cup Catch-It

The Paper Cup Catch-It

Steps:

  • Use the scissors to cut a piece of string about two feet long.
  • Tape one end of the string to the side of the ping pong ball.
  • Tape the other end of the string inside the bottom of the paper cup.
  • Ask your child to hold the cup by the handle or the rim.
  • Swing the ball into the air and try to catch it inside the cup!
  • Challenge them to see how many times they can catch it in a row.
  • Try using the non-dominant hand for an extra challenge!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. The string should be kept away from the neck at all times. Ensure the ball is not aimed at others.

The Snake Rim Marble Run

The Snake Rim Marble Run

Steps:

  • Place the paper plate on the table.
  • Take a large piece of playdough.
  • Roll it into a very long, thick snake using both hands.
  • Press the playdough snake firmly around the very edge of the paper plate to make a wall.
  • Make sure the wall is smooth and even all the way around the plate.
  • Place a single marble inside the plate.
  • Hold the plate with both hands.
  • Tilt the plate slowly to make the marble roll along the playdough wall without falling out.
  • Challenge your child to go around the circle three times without stopping!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Marbles are a significant choking hazard and should be kept away from mouths at all times.

The Ziplock Air Launcher

The Ziplock Air Launcher

Steps:

  • Cut a small rectangle of construction paper and wrap it around a straw.
  • Use a tiny piece of masking tape to secure the paper into a tube.
  • Tape one end of the tube shut to create the rocket nose.
  • Slide the straw into the corner of a Ziplock bag.
  • Seal the bag and use tape to make the opening airtight.
  • Place the paper rocket over the end of the straw.
  • Use both hands to give the bag a fast squeeze to launch the rocket!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the paper rocket is not aimed at faces or people.

The Cardboard Shutter-Bug Camera

The Cardboard Shutter-Bug Camera

Steps:

  • Help your child cut a square hole in the middle of a sturdy cardboard piece.
  • Decorate the front of the camera with colorful markers and fun lens designs.
  • Tape a drawing of a funny face or animal behind the hole on the back.
  • Take two index cards and place them over the hole on the front side.
  • Tape only the far left and far right edges of the cards to the cardboard.
  • Ask your child to use their index fingers to pull the doors open from the center.
  • They can see the hidden photo and then push the doors shut again!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they use scissors. Make sure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent any small scratches.

The Foil Ring Noodle Slide

Steps:

  • Tear off five squares of aluminium foil about the size of a piece of bread.
  • Show your child how to roll each foil square into a long, thin snake.
  • Bend the foil snake into a circle and twist the ends to make a ring.
  • Use markers to draw different colored stripes on your pool noodle to create targets.
  • Ask your child to hold the pool noodle with one hand.
  • Use the other hand to slide a foil ring onto the end of the noodle.
  • Challenge them to slide the ring all the way to a matching color stripe!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Aluminium foil can have thin edges and small pieces can be a choking hazard.