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.

Wet Sponge Target Post

Wet Sponge Target Post

Steps:

  • Soak the sponge fully in water. Wring it out hard until it is only damp. Press the dense sponge firmly into the container base.
  • Use a craft stick to poke five starter holes straight through the resistant sponge. This creates the narrow targets.
  • Place the container on a stable table. Hold the container steady with your helper hand.
  • Pick up one pom-pom using a neat pincer grasp. Place it directly over a target hole.
  • Use the craft stick as a piston. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the pom-pom through the resistant sponge.
  • Repeat this powerful pushing action until all the pom-poms are posted inside the container.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and kept away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Felt Maze Nut Grab

Felt Maze Nut Grab

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use markers to draw a simple maze or winding path onto the felt sheet.
  • Cut one small drop hole (slightly bigger than a nut) at the end of the maze. Secure the felt tightly over the container opening using masking tape.
  • Place the container on a stable table. Put the nuts next to the maze start point.
  • Use your non-dominant hand (the helper hand) to hold the container firmly steady.
  • Pick up the tongs using a strong pincer grasp. Squeeze the tongs open and gently grab one nut.
  • Carefully follow the path with the tongs. Press down firmly to maneuver the heavy nut through the resistant felt maze.
  • Once you reach the drop hole, let go of the nut and hear it clink into the box! Repeat until all the treasure is collected.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Nuts and bolts are very small, hard objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Wet Cardboard Q-Tip Punch

Wet Cardboard Q-Tip Punch

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Mix a small amount of tempera paint with water in the bowl until the mixture is thick, but wet enough to saturate the cardboard slightly.
  • Use the spoon to paint a thick layer of the mixture onto a piece of sturdy cardboard. Let the paint soak in slightly to increase resistance, but keep the surface damp.
  • Use a marker to quickly draw small target dots randomly across the wet, painted surface.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard firmly steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
  • Pick up a Q-Tip using a strong pincer grip (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Challenge your child to aim the Q-Tip at a marker dot. Use a strong, controlled push to punch the Q-Tip straight through the wet, resistant cardboard surface.
  • Repeat this firm punching action until all the target dots have been successfully punctured.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips are small materials and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child only pushes the Q-Tip into the cardboard, keeping it away from the face, nose, and ears.

Resistance Stick Tangle

Resistance Stick Tangle

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut several 18-inch strips of yarn. Tightly wrap each yarn strip around a craft stick until only the ends are exposed.
  • Secure the wrapped yarn tightly to the craft stick using small, strong strips of masking tape. Press the tape down hard for maximum resistance.
  • Place all the secured, tangled sticks into the plastic container. Decorate the container using markers.
  • Sit stably at a table. Use your helper hand to hold the container firmly steady to keep it from tipping.
  • Use your working hand to grip the exposed end of one craft stick with a strong pincer grasp.
  • Challenge yourself to pull the stick straight up and out of the resistant yarn tangle. Feel the effort! Drop the rescued stick into a pile.
  • Repeat this process until all the sticks have been successfully pulled free from the tangle.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of yarn and masking tape pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child uses materials only as intended.

Spiral Stick Rotator

Spiral Stick Rotator

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a piece of construction paper to fit the container lid. Secure this paper tightly onto the lid with masking tape.
  • Cut one tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the center of the taped paper lid. This is your resistant slot.
  • Use markers to draw tight, colorful stripes or a spiral design around several craft sticks. Make sure the designs are dense.
  • Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Pick up a striped stick. Challenge them to gently push the end of the stick into the narrow slot.
  • They must twist the stick repeatedly (rotating their forearm) to guide the colored pattern through the resistant slot.
  • Continue twisting and pushing until the entire stick is posted inside. Repeat this with all the prepared sticks!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the narrow slot is only used for the craft sticks. Collect any small pieces of torn paper or tape immediately.