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.

Bottle Cap Finger Skaters

Bottle Cap Finger Skaters

Steps:

  • Lay a large piece of cardboard flat on a table.
  • Use masking tape to create a winding skating rink path across the board.
  • Draw small start and finish flags at the ends of the tape path using markers.
  • Take two plastic bottle caps from empty water bottles.
  • Ask your child to place their index and middle finger inside the two caps.
  • Challenge them to skate their fingers along the tape path.
  • They must stay on the tape and keep the caps flat while moving.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the bottle caps are clean and have no sharp plastic edges before playing.

The Balancing Button Pendulum

The Balancing Button Pendulum

Steps:

  • Tape one end of the string to the top of a doorway.
  • Use the hole puncher to make two holes in the paper cup.
  • Tie the other end of the string through the holes to hang the cup.
  • Place five buttons inside the cup to give it a little weight.
  • Set up three cardboard strips as pins on the floor nearby.
  • Pull the cup back and release it to knock the pins down.
  • Try to keep the buttons inside the cup during the swing!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the doorway is clear of traffic and the string is not left unattended to prevent tripping.

The Paper Roll Spy Tubes

The Paper Roll Spy Tubes

Steps:

  • Hold two cardboard paper rolls side by side.
  • Use masking tape to wrap around the middle of the rolls to stick them together.
  • Decorate the outside of your spy tubes using colorful markers.
  • Use a hole puncher to make one hole on the outside edge of each roll.
  • Thread a piece of yarn through the holes to create a strap.
  • Ask an adult to help tie the yarn ends so the strap is secure.
  • Now, look through your spy tubes to find specific colors in the room!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required while using the hole puncher and yarn to ensure safety.

Balloon Haircut Day

Balloon Haircut Day

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
  • Draw a funny face on the balloon using markers.
  • Cut several long pieces of yarn hair.
  • Tape the yarn hair to the top of the balloon.
  • Secure the balloon to a wall or door using masking tape at your child’s chest height.
  • Encourage your child to use safety scissors to trim the yarn hair.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. If the balloon pops, pick up the pieces immediately. Broken balloon pieces are a choking hazard.

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.