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 Button Balance Scale

The Button Balance Scale

Steps:

  • Lay a pencil flat on a table. Use a small piece of masking tape to stop it from rolling.
  • Place the middle of the ruler on top of the pencil. It should tilt back and forth like a seesaw.
  • Use your thumb and pointer finger to pick up a single button from your collection.
  • Place the button gently on one end of the ruler.
  • Now, try to place a second button on the other side to balance the weight.
  • When the ruler stays level without touching the table, your child has mastered the challenge of finding the center of gravity.
  • Keep adding buttons to see how many the scale can hold before it tips.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Buttons are a choking hazard. Keep them away from small children and pets at all times.

The Hanger Puppet Parade

The Hanger Puppet Parade

Steps:

  • Draw three colorful characters on construction paper using your markers.
  • Carefully cut out each character using your scissors.
  • Cut three pieces of yarn, each about five inches long.
  • Tie one piece of yarn to the top of each paper character.
  • Hold the hanger steady with your non-dominant hand.
  • Pinch a clothespin to clip the yarn to the bottom bar of the hanger.
  • Hold the hanger’s hook and move it slowly from left to right.
  • See your puppets parade through the air!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using scissors and yarn to ensure safety.

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Steps:

  • Secure a large piece of cardboard to a flat table using masking tape.
  • Cut four pieces of ribbon, each about three inches long.
  • Tape both ends of each ribbon piece to the cardboard to create small, tight bridges.
  • Space the bridges out in a straight or winding line across the board.
  • Place a colorful button at the start of the bridge path.
  • Challenge your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to slide the button under each bridge.
  • They must push the button all the way to the end without lifting it off the cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small buttons are a choking hazard. Keep materials away from the mouth.

Fan-Fold Color Towers

Fan-Fold Color Towers

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw bright patterns on three index cards.
  • Show your child how to fold the card back and forth to create a fan or accordion shape.
  • Press each fold firmly with your thumb and index finger to make the creases very sharp.
  • Squeeze a few dots of glue onto a sturdy cardboard base.
  • Stand the folded card upright on the glue to create a wavy tower.
  • Pick up a pom-pom using your pinching fingers and glue it onto the peaks of the paper fans.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using glue to ensure it stays on the craft and away from faces.

Pool Noodle Pincer Pillars

Pool Noodle Pincer Pillars

Steps:

  • Adult Step: Carefully use scissors to cut the pool noodle into four or five round discs.
  • Have your child place the foam discs flat on a sturdy table or the floor.
  • Ask your child to push one golf ball tee into the center of each foam disc.
  • Provide the tweezers and a small bowl of colorful pom-poms for the next part.
  • Challenge your child to use the tweezers to pick up one pom-pom at a time.
  • They must carefully balance the pom-pom on the very top of the golf ball tee.
  • For an extra challenge, ask them to move the whole disc to a new spot.
  • They must be very gentle so the pom-pom stays on its pillar during the move!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required because golf ball tees have pointed ends. Ensure your child stays seated and uses the materials only for the activity.