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.

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.

Beaded Joint Dancer

Beaded Joint Dancer

Steps:

  • Draw a person or animal on construction paper with markers.
  • Cut out the head, body, and limbs as separate pieces.
  • Use a hole puncher to make a hole at each limb joint.
  • Punch matching holes on the shoulders and hips of the body.
  • Thread a piece of yarn through the holes to join pieces.
  • Tie the yarn loosely so the dancer can move its limbs.
  • Slide beads onto the yarn ends to add color and weight.
  • Use masking tape to hang your dancer on a door.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they use a hole puncher to prevent finger pinches. Keep small beads away from younger siblings to avoid choking.

Foil Gem Treasure Rescue

Foil Gem Treasure Rescue

Steps:

  • Help your child cut small squares of aluminum foil using safety scissors.
  • Wrap one bead inside each piece of foil to make a treasure gem.
  • Squeeze the foil tightly so the bead is hidden.
  • Place each foil gem into a separate slot in the ice cube tray.
  • Give your child the tweezers to hold with their dominant hand.
  • Ask them to move the gems into the aluminum foil pan.
  • Once moved, use both hands to unwrap the foil and find the beads.

Safety Tip:
Beads and small foil pieces are choking hazards. Always supervise your child closely during this activity. Ensure all beads are collected after play.

Floating Sponge Button Stack

Floating Sponge Button Stack

Steps:

  • Fill the aluminium foil pan halfway with water.
  • Place the sponge gently on top of the water so it floats.
  • Put a small bowl of buttons next to the pan.
  • Ask your child to pick up one button using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Challenge them to place the button carefully onto the center of the floating sponge.
  • See how many buttons they can stack before the sponge tips or sinks!
  • Try placing buttons on the corners of the sponge to see how it wobbles.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play. Buttons are small and are a choking hazard. Ensure your child does not put them in their mouth.