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.

Slot Stuff Hedgehog

Slot Stuff Hedgehog

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut 8 to 10 short, narrow slits across the surface of the paper roll. These are the spine holes.
  • Decorate the roll using markers to give your hedgehog a cute face and body.
  • Tear the construction paper into many long, thin strips. Tearing wakes up finger and hand muscles.
  • Pick up the paper roll with your helper hand to keep it steady on the table.
  • Stuff one end of a paper strip into a spine hole using your dominant hand fingers.
  • Use a craft stick to gently push the paper strip completely inside the narrow slot. This requires precise force.
  • Continue stuffing paper spines into all the slots until your hedgehog is fully covered in soft spikes!

Safety Tip:
Adults must perform the scissor cutting for the narrow slots. Supervise closely to ensure small pieces of torn paper are not put in the mouth.

Pocket Post Office

Pocket Post Office

Steps:

  • Roll the playdough into a thick, flat disc. Press it firmly into the bottom of the plastic container to create a stable base.
  • Stand 6 to 8 craft sticks up vertically by pushing them deep into the playdough base. Arrange the sticks close together to create narrow ‘pockets’ between them (these are the mail slots).
  • Put the pom-poms (the ‘mail’) into a small bowl and place them next to the container.
  • Use your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) or a pair of tongs to pick up one piece of mail at a time.
  • Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Carefully aim the mail into one of the narrow pockets between the sticks.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to send the mail deep into the playdough pocket. Repeat this until all the pockets are full!

Safety Tip:
Pom-poms and craft sticks are small objects. Maintain constant adult supervision during this activity, as these materials pose a choking hazard for children under five.

Line Up Clips

Line Up Clips

Steps:

  • Use markers to color several craft sticks different bright colors.
  • Secure a long piece of string tautly between two chairs or tape it firmly to a wall at your child’s chest height. This is your clothesline.
  • Challenge your child to use a strong pincer grip to clip one clothespin onto the center of each colorful craft stick.
  • Have your child hold the string steady with their helper hand to provide a stable base.
  • Using their dominant hand, encourage them to clip the stick-and-clip unit onto the clothesline, lining up the colorful sticks in a specific order.

Safety Tip:
Clothespins can be small and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Always supervise this activity closely and ensure all pieces are collected after playtime.

Finger Path Placements

Finger Path Placements

Steps:

  • Trace the child’s non-dominant (helper) hand firmly onto the construction paper using a marker. This drawing is their map!
  • Using markers, draw specific colored dots (matching your pom-pom colors) inside the traced hand outline. Place the dots in the ‘paths’ or spaces right between the fingers.
  • Ask the child to place their non-dominant hand flat on the paper, lining it up exactly with the tracing (this hand provides the stable base).
  • Using their dominant hand, challenge the child to pick up the matching colored pom-poms (using a neat Pincer Grasp) and carefully place them into the drawn spots. They must use precision to drop the pom-pom without disturbing the fingers of the stable hand.
  • Once the pom-poms are placed, try removing them using tweezers for an extra fine motor workout.

Safety Tip:
Due to the small size of the pom-poms, close adult supervision is required throughout the activity to prevent choking or placing items in the mouth, nose, or ears.

Vertical Bead Run

Vertical Bead Run

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut the paper rolls (toilet paper or paper towel rolls) into short, 1-inch segments.
  • Glue the paper roll segments onto the large cardboard piece. Arrange them in a zigzag or winding track from top to bottom.
  • Secure the cardboard track vertically onto a wall or door at your child’s chest height. Place the plastic container directly beneath the exit point of the track.
  • Encourage your child to stand tall and use their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to pick up a bead.
  • Challenge them to aim and carefully drop the bead into the top opening of the track.
  • Visually track the bead as it rolls down the track. Repeat until all beads are successfully collected in the container.

Safety Tip:
Beads are very small and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Maintain constant adult supervision throughout the activity. Ensure the cardboard track is securely fastened to the wall to prevent movement during play.