Pincer Control - Page 4 of 23

The Button Anchor Wind-Up

Steps:

Fill an empty milk container halfway with dry rice to make it heavy.
Tape the cap shut securely so the rice stays inside.
Cut a long piece of yarn, about three feet long.
Tape one end of the yarn to the bottom of the milk container.
Hand your child a button and show them how to thread the yarn through it.
Have your child hold the jug steady with one hand while winding the yarn once around the container.
Thread another button and wind the yarn again.
Continue until all the buttons are anchored onto the jug!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play as buttons and dry rice are choking hazards. Ensure the jug is on a stable surface to prevent it from falling on little toes.

The Shimmering Mosaic Lid Garden

Steps:

Place the plastic container on a flat table.
Use markers to draw grass and flower stems on the sides of the container.
Put long strips of masking tape across the lid with the sticky side facing up.
Secure the edges of the tape so it stays on the lid.
Have your child pick up one sequin using their thumb and pointer finger.
Press the sequin onto the sticky tape to make a flower on top of the stem.
Continue until the garden on the lid is full of colorful sequin flowers.

Safety Tip:
Sequins are very small and can be a choking hazard, so please supervise your child closely during play.

The Rainbow Tissue Windmill

Steps:

Use your scissors to cut two straws into four-inch lengths.
Lay the straws across each other to form a perfect X shape.
Place a small piece of masking tape in the center to hold them.
Cut four small squares of colorful tissue paper using your scissors.
Tape one tissue square to the very end of each straw arm.
Use the pencil tip to poke a hole through the center tape.
Push a pipe cleaner through the hole you made.
Slide one bead onto the pipe cleaner on each side of the straws.
Wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around a pencil to make a handle.
Twist the other end into a small loop to keep everything in place.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors and the pencil to poke holes. Ensure the beads are handled carefully.

The Hidden Meadow Rescue

Steps:

First, grab a piece of cardboard to use as your meadow floor.
Draw a few colorful bugs on the board with your markers.
Cut your green tissue paper into several long, thin strips.
Glue the bottom end of each strip to the cardboard base.
Let the top of the paper flop over to hide your bug drawings.
Place some colorful buttons or stickers underneath the tissue paper grass.
Invite your child to go on a bug hunt in the meadow!
Show them how to lift the grass with one hand while the other picks up a button.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses small buttons and stickers. Always supervise your toddler closely and ensure they do not put these items in their mouth.

The Upright Clip Fence

Steps:

First, cut a rectangular piece of cardboard to use as your sturdy base.
Lay a long strip of masking tape across the cardboard with the sticky side up.
Secure the ends of the tape so the strip stays perfectly flat.
Use your markers to draw a winding path directly onto the sticky tape.
Hand your child the tweezers and a pile of colorful paper clips.
Challenge them to pick up a clip and press its narrow edge onto the tape.
They should follow the marker line until the path is covered with standing clips.
Once finished, they can use their fingers to pluck the clips off.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small paper clips are a choking hazard, so keep them away from younger siblings.