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.

Vertical Brick Layers

Find a safe vertical surface, like a sliding glass door, or just a regular wall. Use the masking tape to create a square “construction zone” frame on the surface, right at your child’s eye level.

Have your child pinch off small pieces of playdough and roll them into little balls using their thumb and index finger (this is the “cement”).

Ask your child to stick a playdough ball onto the back of a craft stick (the “brick”).

Now, have them press the craft stick firmly onto the wall inside the taped zone so it sticks. Challenge them to build straight rows of bricks from the bottom up to fill the whole square!

Safety Tip: Always supervise to ensure playdough is not eaten. Test a small piece of masking tape on your wall first to make sure it doesn’t damage paint or wallpaper when removed.

Q-Tip Push & Pop

Prep the Carton: Flip an empty egg carton upside down. Using a pen or a pencil, poke a small hole in the top of each egg cup.

Demonstrate: Show your child how to take a Q-tip, line it up with one of the holes, and push it through until it drops in.

Let them Play: Give your child a handful of Q-tips and let them get to work!

The “Pop”: Once they’ve pushed them all in, lift the carton up to reveal all the Q-tips underneath, the “pop!”, and let them start all over again.

Safety Tip: Since this activity involves small items (Q-tips) and a young age group, constant adult supervision is required to prevent them from being put in the mouth or ears, which could pose a choking hazard or injury risk.

Noodle Tower Thread

Noodle Tower Thread

Steps:

  • Use the hole puncher to create several holes across the cardboard surface. Ensure the cardboard is stable.
  • Place the uncooked spaghetti sticks into the holes, creating tall, thin towers. Push them in just enough to stand up straight.
  • Put the macaroni pieces into a plastic container. Challenge your child to pick up one macaroni piece using a pincer grasp.
  • Carefully slide the macaroni onto the top of a spaghetti tower. Continue threading until the tower is full of “noodles.”
  • Try grading the task by stacking multiple cardboard layers for more resistance during step one.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise to ensure small materials are not put in the mouth. Ensure the cardboard stands firmly on the table for safe play.

Lid Lacing Challenge

Lid Lacing Challenge

Steps:

  • Secure a thin piece of foam sheet tightly over the lid of the plastic container using masking tape.
  • Use a marker to draw a pattern of small dots or a zigzag line across the foam sheet. These are your targets.
  • Give the child one golf tee. Challenge them to hold the tee using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Encourage the child to push the tee straight through each marked dot, creating a lacing hole in the foam and the lid. The other hand must stabilize the container.
  • Once all holes are punched, remove the tees. Thread a piece of yarn through the holes, lacing across the foam to complete the pattern.
  • When they finish, gently pull the yarn out. Try drawing a different pattern for the next round.

Safety Tip:
Golf tees have pointed ends. Close adult supervision is required during all steps to ensure the tees and yarn are not placed in the mouth, nose, or ears.

Band Launcher Target

Band Launcher Target

Steps:

  • Prep the launcher by taping one end of a craft stick firmly to the edge of a flat piece of cardboard. The stick must be able to spring back up.
  • Place the container (the target) a short distance away from the cardboard launch pad.
  • Encourage your child to use a precise pincer grasp to place a pom-pom onto the free end of the craft stick.
  • Use one hand to stabilize the cardboard while the other hand presses down on the craft stick tip using controlled force.
  • Quickly release the stick to launch the pom-pom toward the target container. Count the successful hits!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise to prevent small pom-poms from being placed in the mouth. Ensure the launch area is clear before shooting to avoid hitting anyone.