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 Rainbow Ribbon Spool

The Rainbow Ribbon Spool

Steps:

  • Tape the end of three colorful ribbons to the center of a paper roll.
  • Place the paper roll horizontally inside a small basket.
  • Use masking tape to secure the ends of the roll to the basket sides.
  • This allows the roll to spin in place like a spool of thread.
  • Encourage your child to pull a ribbon to unwind it completely.
  • Show them how to use both hands to wind the ribbon back up.
  • They must use their tiny fingers to keep the ribbon tight.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Ribbons and tape are small parts. Always watch your child closely during play.

The Silent Bubble Walk

The Silent Bubble Walk

Steps:

  • Cut two wide strips of bubble wrap using your scissors.
  • Wrap one strip gently around each of your child’s shins.
  • Secure the wrap with a small piece of masking tape.
  • Ensure the tape is not tight against the skin.
  • Use masking tape to mark a zigzag path on the floor.
  • Ask your child to walk the path in total silence.
  • The goal is to reach the finish line without popping any bubbles!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure the tape is not too tight and the plastic is handled safely.

The Pool Noodle Steamroller

The Pool Noodle Steamroller

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to mark a start and finish line on a soft rug.
  • Place several stuffed animals in a row between the two lines.
  • Give your toddler a long pool noodle to hold with both hands.
  • Encourage them to roll the noodle over the toys while crawling.
  • Have them push down hard to steamroll each fluffy friend.
  • Put the toys in a basket once they reach the finish line.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they stay safe. Pool noodles can be a choking hazard if small pieces are swallowed.

The Fire Breathing Dragon Tube

The Fire Breathing Dragon Tube

Steps:

  • Use your markers to draw a silly dragon face on the outside of the paper roll.
  • Tear the colorful tissue paper into long, thin strips that look like flames.
  • Put a few dots of glue around the inside rim of one end of the tube.
  • Press the ends of your tissue paper strips onto the glue dots carefully.
  • Glue two pom-poms on top of the tube to give your dragon big eyes.
  • Hold the tube to your mouth and blow hard to make the fire dance!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using glue and small pom-poms. Ensure the paper roll is clean and free of any staples.

The Vertical Bead Zip-Line

The Vertical Bead Zip-Line

Steps:

  • Tape a large piece of cardboard vertically onto a wall.
  • Cut the paper roll into three small rings using scissors.
  • Tape the rings onto the cardboard in a vertical zigzag pattern.
  • Thread a long piece of yarn through all three rings.
  • Tape the top and bottom of the yarn to the cardboard.
  • Slide one large bead onto the yarn before taping the bottom.
  • Give your child a pipe cleaner to use as a poker.
  • Ask them to push the bead up through each ring.
  • Use the helper hand to keep the cardboard steady.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the cardboard is taped securely to the wall to prevent it from falling during play.