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.

The Ribbon-Linked Clip Path

The Ribbon-Linked Clip Path

Steps:

  • Use your markers to draw six colorful circles around the edge of a paper plate.
  • Assign a number from one to six inside each circle.
  • An adult should cut a long piece of ribbon about two feet long.
  • Ask your child to hold the paper plate steady with their helper hand.
  • Use the other hand to clip a clothespin onto circle number one.
  • Have your child thread the ribbon through the metal spring of the clothespin.
  • Move to circle number two and clip on the next clothespin.
  • Continue threading the ribbon through each clip in numerical order until the path is complete!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors or small ribbons. Ensure the ribbon is not wrapped around fingers or the neck.

The Spaghetti Baking Cup Forest

The Spaghetti Baking Cup Forest

Steps:

  • Press a large lump of playdough onto the paper plate.
  • Flatten it with your hand to make a base.
  • Push five dry spaghetti sticks into the dough.
  • Carefully poke a hole in the bottom of a baking cup.
  • Slide the cup upside down onto a spaghetti stick.
  • Repeat this until all your trees have tops.
  • Use your pinching fingers to glue a button on top.

Safety Tip:
Spaghetti can be brittle and sharp. Buttons are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play.

The Pincer Mask Maker

The Pincer Mask Maker

Steps:

  • Draw two large eye circles on a paper bag.
  • Help your child cut out the eyes.
  • Spread glue around the eyes.
  • Use a pincer grasp to pick up one bean at a time.
  • Press the beans into the glue to make eyebrows.
  • Add sequins for a sparkly nose.
  • Slide the bag over your head to reveal your new face!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely while using scissors. Small beans and sequins can be a choking hazard. Keep all small parts away from the 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.

Rainbow Ribbon Wall Weave

Girl weaving a red ribbon through slits in a cardboard panel taped to the wall at shoulder height

Steps:

  • Draw five long vertical lines on your cardboard.
  • Use your scissors to cut a slit along each line.
  • Make sure the slits are wide enough for the ribbon.
  • Use masking tape to stick the cardboard to a wall.
  • Put it at your child’s shoulder height.
  • Give your child a colorful ribbon.
  • Show them how to poke the ribbon through the first slit.
  • Help them weave it over and under across the slats.
  • Repeat this with all the different colors!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is needed while using scissors. Ensure the cardboard is taped tightly to the wall so it does not fall.