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.

Sticky Ribbon Rescue

Sticky Ribbon Rescue

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Tightly wrap a piece of Yarn or Ribbon around a Craft Stick. Secure the ends of the yarn with small, strong strips of Masking Tape.
  • Place the finished stick and the empty Container on a stable table.
  • Challenge your child to hold the stick firmly with their helper hand to keep it still.
  • Encourage your child to use their working hand to pinch an edge of the tape. Pull the tape strip off slowly against the resistance.
  • Once the tape is peeled, they can unwrap the yarn and drop the ‘rescued’ ribbon into the Container. Repeat with other prepared sticks!

Safety Tip:
Ribbon, yarn, and small pieces of masking tape are choking hazards for children under three. Constant, direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child remains seated and materials are not placed near the mouth.

Foil Push Bead Garden

Foil Push Bead Garden

Steps:

  • Place the Aluminium Foil Pan flat on the table. Use markers to draw a few small dots randomly on the pan’s bottom surface. These dots are your targets.
  • Set the pile of Beads and Golf Ball Tees next to the pan in a Plastic Container.
  • Hold the pan firmly with your helper hand. Pick up one Golf Ball Tee using a pincer grasp.
  • Pick up one bead and carefully balance it on the narrow end of the Golf Ball Tee.
  • Aim the tee and bead toward a marker dot. Use a strong, steady push to pierce the foil and drop the bead inside the pan.
  • Repeat this action until all the target dots have a bead successfully ‘planted’ through the foil.

Safety Tip:
Beads and golf tees are small, hard objects. They pose a choking hazard for children under five. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity.

Ribbon Slot Stuffing

Ribbon Slot Stuffing

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use the Scissors to cut three tight, narrow slots (about 1.5 inches long) into the Cardboard or the lid of the Container. Secure the Cardboard/lid tightly using Masking Tape.
  • Give the child long strips of Ribbon. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the Ribbon into small, stamp-sized pieces. Tearing wakes up the hand muscles!
  • Ask your child to hold the container steady with their helper hand (proximal stability) while it sits on the table.
  • Pick up one torn Ribbon piece. Crumple it tightly into a small ball using only their fingertips (working on pincer grasp and in-hand manipulation).
  • Aim the crumpled ribbon ball at a slot. Use a controlled, firm push with the index finger or thumb to send the ribbon piece completely inside the container. Repeat until the container is full!

Safety Tip:
Ribbon pieces are small objects. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout the activity, as they pose a choking hazard for children under five.

Kernel Mosaic Cup

Kernel Mosaic Cup

Steps:

  • Decorate the outside of the paper cup with markers. Keep the design simple, like stripes or dots.
  • Pour a small amount of liquid glue or paste onto a piece of construction paper to create a gluing palette.
  • Use your helper hand to hold the cup steady. Dip your marker-drawn cup directly into the glue palette, covering a small section with adhesive.
  • Pick up one dry corn kernel at a time using only your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Carefully place and press the kernel onto the glued section of the cup. Try to place the kernels close together like a mosaic.
  • Repeat steps 3 through 5 until the whole cup is covered in texture. Let your kernel mosaic dry completely!

Safety Tip:
Dry corn kernels are a small, hard choking hazard. Constant and direct adult supervision is mandatory for children under 5. Ensure all materials are collected immediately after play.

Strong Punch Lacing Board

Strong Punch Lacing Board

Steps:

  • Prep the cardboard by covering it with colored construction paper if desired. Use a marker to draw a simple shape or pattern on the board.
  • Hold the cardboard firmly with your helper hand. Challenge your child to squeeze the hole puncher hard to create holes around the drawn shape.
  • Cut a long piece of yarn. Tie one end of the yarn securely onto the first punched hole.
  • Thread the yarn through the holes, using both hands together to push and pull the string. Try to follow the drawn pattern.
  • When you reach the end, encourage your child to practice tying the two loose ends of the yarn into a simple knot. They must use precise pincer grips to manage the string.

Safety Tip:
Maintain constant adult supervision. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if not used properly. Small yarn pieces are a potential choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths.