Motor Planning - Page 3 of 22

Foam Fortress Pull-Apart

Steps:

Use markers to draw simple shapes onto the foam sheets. Shapes like squares and rectangles work best for building.
Ask an adult to use scissors to cut the foam shapes out. Cut the craft sticks in half if needed.
Hold two foam pieces together so the edges align. Use a marker to dot the spot where you want to connect them.
Take one craft stick. Use strong finger force to push the stick straight through the marked spot, connecting the two foam pieces tightly.
Continue connecting pieces until you build a large structure, like a wall or a tower.
Now for the heavy work! Challenge your child to grab the structure with both hands. Use a strong, steady pull to separate the connected foam pieces, one stick at a time.
Collect all the sticks and foam pieces to build an even bigger structure next time.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Adults must handle the scissors during preparation.

Foam Slot Tongs

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use markers to draw one narrow, horizontal slit (about 2 inches long) onto the container lid. Carefully cut the slit using scissors. Secure the lid shut with masking tape.
Use scissors to cut the foam sheets into many small, 1-inch squares. Drop the cut squares into the small container.
Place the target container flat on the table. Encourage your child to hold the container firmly with their helper hand to stabilize it.
Pick up the tongs. Use the tongs to grab one foam square using a strong pincer grip.
Carefully aim the foam piece toward the narrow slot. Push the foam piece completely through the slot and drop it inside the container.
Continue transferring all the foam pieces into the slot until the small container is empty.

Safety Tip:
Since this activity involves small foam pieces and the use of scissors during preparation, constant, direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of foam are a choking hazard for children under five.

Cardboard Confetti Collage

Steps:

Use masking tape to secure the large piece of cardboard firmly onto the table. This acts as your stable canvas.
Give your child a stack of index cards. Encourage them to use the hole puncher to make many small circles (confetti). Squeezing the puncher requires strength!
Challenge your child to tear the remaining index cards into tiny, jagged pieces using both hands together.
Now, use only the fingertips to crumple and squeeze the punched circles and torn pieces into tight, dense confetti balls.
Draw a simple shape (like a circle or heart) onto the cardboard using glue from the bottle. Use controlled squeezing.
Use a careful pincer grasp to pick up the sequins and crumpled confetti. Press them onto the wet glue to create a colorful, textured collage.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and crumpled paper pieces are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Moving Target Delivery

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the paper cup firmly onto the outside of the large ball. This cup is the moving target.
Place the buttons in the container nearby. Set the moving target ball on the floor in a clear, open space.
Ask your child to pick up one button using a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Gently roll or move the ball slowly across the floor. Encourage your child to walk or squat as they follow the target.
Challenge your child to aim carefully and drop the button into the narrow opening of the paper cup while the ball is moving slowly.
Repeat the process: pick up a button, chase the moving target, and deposit the item inside. Encourage them to try different body positions, like kneeling or squatting, while aiming.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Buttons are small, hard objects and pose a choking hazard. Ensure the playing area is clear to prevent tripping while the child moves with the ball.

Foam Fortress Cut

Steps:

Draw several thick, straight lines or simple shapes (like squares and rectangles) onto the foam sheets using markers.
Help your child position the foam on a stable table. Encourage them to hold the foam firmly with their non-dominant hand to keep it from slipping.
Challenge the child to cut along the drawn lines using child-safe scissors. Cutting through the thick foam requires a strong, sustained squeeze.
Once all the foam pieces are cut, choose two pieces and align their edges. Push them firmly together to connect them and create a small structure.
Continue connecting the foam pieces by pushing their edges together until the entire ‘fortress’ or structure is complete. Try to make it as tall as possible.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the child uses age-appropriate scissors safely and monitors the position of their helper hand, keeping fingers away from the cutting path.