Skill: Pincer Grasp

The pincer grasp is the coordination of the index finger and thumb to hold an item. Each time you hold a pen or button your shirt, you’re using the pincer grasp.

Pincer grasp is a hand grasp that develops around the time a baby is 8-10 months old. This grasp corresponds to the time a baby is beginning to feed themselves finger foods. The pincer grasp is needed in order to grasp a small item, pinch it between the index and thumb and bring it to the mouth.

Yarn Ring Orbit Slider

Yarn Ring Orbit Slider

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw a bright yellow sun in the very center of your paper plate.
  • Use the hole puncher to click four holes around the outer rim of the plate.
  • Use scissors to cut two pieces of yarn, each about twelve inches long.
  • Have your child slide three colorful beads onto each piece of yarn.
  • Push the ends of the yarn through the opposite holes to create two crossing tracks.
  • Secure the yarn ends firmly to the back of the paper plate using masking tape.
  • Ask your child to hold the plate steady on the table with their helper hand.
  • Use the pinching fingers of their other hand to slide the beads along the tracks from orbit to orbit!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely when they are handling scissors, small beads, or yarn. Store all small pieces safely out of reach after play to prevent any choking hazards.

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Steps:

  • Lay out three long strips of cardboard in a zigzag line on the floor.
  • Use masking tape to stick the cardboard firmly to the ground.
  • Use markers to draw five small circles along the cardboard path.
  • Place a paper cup at the very end of the line.
  • Fill a plastic container with colorful pom-poms and place it at the start.
  • Give your child a handful of paper clips to hold in one hand.
  • Ask your child to walk slowly along the cardboard beam.
  • As they walk, they must place one pom-pom inside each drawn circle.
  • While standing on the beam, they must use pincer fingers to slide a paper clip onto the paper cup.
  • If they step off the cardboard, they have to go back to the start!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor area is clear of other toys to prevent tripping. Make sure the cardboard is taped flat so it is not slippery.

The Musical Ribbon Shaker

The Musical Ribbon Shaker

Steps:

  • Give your toddler two paper plates to decorate with markers.
  • Place one plate face up on the table.
  • Help your child pick up a handful of beans.
  • Ask them to use their thumb and pointer finger to drop the beans one by one.
  • Place the second plate upside down on top of the first.
  • An adult should staple the edges together firmly.
  • Glue several colorful ribbon strips to the sides of the shaker.
  • Show your toddler how to hold the shaker with both hands.
  • Shake the plates to the beat of your favorite song!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Beans and staples are small. Always supervise your child and ensure the plates are sealed tightly.

Under-Table Starry Night

Under-Table Starry Night

Steps:

  • Draw many colorful dots across a flat piece of cardboard using your markers.
  • Use a pen to poke a small hole through the center of every dot.
  • Find a stable low table and tape the cardboard to the underside with masking tape.
  • Help your child lie down on their back underneath the table.
  • Hand them a pile of Q-tips to hold in their helper hand.
  • Challenge them to push a Q-tip into every star hole they see above.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the table is stable and the area is clear of hard objects. Always supervise your child while they are lying under the furniture.

The Drawbridge Pulley Master

The Drawbridge Pulley Master

Steps:

  • Get a small cardboard box and cut a rectangular door on one side.
  • Leave the bottom of the door attached so it flips down.
  • Poke two small holes at the top of the door.
  • Poke two more holes near the top of the box frame.
  • Thread a piece of yarn through the door and the box.
  • Tape a paper roll horizontally to the top of the box.
  • Tie the yarn ends to the paper roll.
  • Ask your child to twist the roll to lift the door.
  • Use a paper clip to clip the yarn to the box.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required for using scissors to cut the cardboard. Ensure the yarn is stored safely after play to prevent any entanglement risks.