Skill: Pincer Control

Using the tips of the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects. This delicate movement is used for eating finger foods, buttoning clothes, and eventually holding a pencil.

The Sticky Pom-Pom Spoon Flip

The Sticky Pom-Pom Spoon Flip

Steps:

  • Use markers to color your paper cups to make them look bright.
  • Wrap masking tape around the back of the spoon with the sticky side facing out.
  • Place a large pile of colorful pom-poms on a flat table.
  • Hold the spoon handle using a firm and steady grasp.
  • Press the sticky back of the spoon onto a fuzzy pom-pom.
  • Rotate your wrist to flip the pom-pom into a cup.
  • Count how many you can land in the cups before you stop.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Pom-poms and tape are small parts. Always supervise your child during play and ensure they do not put any materials in their mouth.

The Sticker Puppet Rescue

The Sticker Puppet Rescue

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw a silly face on a paper bag.
  • Cover the bag with colorful stickers of all sizes.
  • Have your child put the bag on their helper hand.
  • This hand is now the sticker puppet!
  • Ask the child to use their other hand to peel the stickers.
  • Tell them to move the puppet’s mouth while they clean it.
  • Repeat until the puppet is ready for its next show!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are playing with stickers. Small stickers can be a choking hazard. Ensure the child does not put them in their mouth.

The Under-Table Tissue Galaxy

The Under-Table Tissue Galaxy

Steps:

  • Tape a large piece of cardboard to the bottom of a stable surface at home.
  • Place loops of masking tape across the cardboard with the sticky side facing the floor.
  • Give your child several colorful squares of tissue paper to hold.
  • Ask them to lie down on their back under the cardboard.
  • Show them how to use their fingertips to crumple a paper square into a tight ball.
  • Challenge them to reach up and press the ball onto the sticky tape.
  • Keep adding more colors until the whole overhead board is a bright galaxy!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are lying under furniture. Ensure the cardboard is taped securely so it does not fall. Keep all small paper balls away from the mouth to prevent choking.

Sticky Cup Pom-pom Stuff

Toddler using her pointer finger to press a pom-pom into a paper cup lined with sticky masking tape

Steps:

  • Turn a piece of masking tape into a loop with the sticky side facing out.
  • Place the tape loop inside the bottom and sides of a paper cup.
  • Give your toddler a bowl of fuzzy pom-poms to hold.
  • Ask them to use their pointer finger to push a pom-pom into the cup.
  • Encourage them to press it hard against the sticky tape.
  • Once the cup is full, show them how to peel the pom-poms back out!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Pom-poms and tape are small parts. Always supervise your toddler closely and ensure they do not put materials in their mouth.

The Confetti Cupcake Decorator

Boy using tongs to drop punched paper dots into paper baking cups glued to cardboard

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw three big circles on your cardboard.
  • Glue a baking cup onto each circle to make the cupcake base.
  • Have your child use the hole puncher on colorful paper to make dots.
  • Squeeze some glue into the bottom of each baking cup.
  • Ask your child to pick up the paper dots using the tongs.
  • Challenge them to drop the sprinkles into the cups to decorate the treats.
  • Use their helper hand to keep the cardboard steady while they work.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure safety. Small paper dots can be a choking hazard for younger children.