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.

Kernel Cannon Wall

Kernel Cannon Wall

Steps:

  • Mix the playdough with a little water in the container until it forms a thick, sticky sludge. Stir in a handful of corn kernels to make the mixture highly resistant.
  • Secure the piece of cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape. Use markers to draw a large, simple target shape on the board.
  • Hold the eyedropper (or baster) with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Squeeze the bulb hard to suck up the resistant kernel sludge mixture.
  • Hold the cardboard steady with your helper hand to keep the surface stable. Aim the loaded dropper at the marker target.
  • Squeeze the dropper forcefully to shoot the kernel sludge onto the target. Encourage maximum effort! Repeat this action until the target is completely covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and corn kernels are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure the mixture is used only as intended.

Paper Nugget Transfer Challenge

Paper Nugget Transfer Challenge

Steps:

  • Tear the construction paper into small strips using both hands together.
  • Use only your fingertips to crumple each strip tightly into a dense, hard paper ‘nugget.’ Squeeze hard for maximum strength input!
  • Place the finished nuggets on the table. Set the paper cup nearby as your target.
  • Hold the paper cup steady with your helper hand to keep it stable.
  • Pick up the tongs. Squeeze them open with a strong finger pinch to grab one paper nugget.
  • Carefully transfer the nugget and drop it precisely into the waiting paper cup target. Repeat until all nuggets are sorted.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small, crumpled paper pieces pose a potential choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are collected immediately after play.

Foil Grip & Transfer

Foil Grip & Transfer

Steps:

  • Pour water into a small bowl. Add a drop of food coloring to make it a fun color.
  • Drop the cotton balls into the colored water until they are fully soaked and heavy. Place the wet balls inside the Aluminium Foil Pan.
  • Hold the foil pan firmly steady with your helper hand to keep it stable on the table.
  • Use the tongs to pick up one heavy, wet cotton ball at a time. Encourage your child to squeeze the tongs hard to grasp the slippery material.
  • Carefully lift the wet cotton ball and transfer it to the empty plastic container. Drop it inside the target.
  • Repeat this squeezing and transferring action until the foil pan is completely empty. Count how many successful transfers were made!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small cotton balls can be a choking hazard if ingested. Ensure the child only handles the materials with the tongs or fingers and keeps them away from their mouth.

Cardboard Connector Links

Cardboard Connector Links

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut the cardboard into 6 to 8 small, sturdy building shapes, such as squares or strips.
  • Use the markers to draw small target dots near the edges of each cardboard link.
  • Encourage your child to twist each pipe cleaner tightly into a small, stiff ring or loop. Place these finished rings in the container.
  • Challenge your child to hold one cardboard link firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the surface.
  • Squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto each marker dot to create connection holes. Squeezing hard provides deep strength input!
  • Now, hold two punched cardboard links together, lining up the holes perfectly.
  • Use a pipe cleaner ring to link them by pushing the stiff ring through both holes. Continue linking to build a strong 3D structure.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small pipe cleaner pieces and cardboard punch-outs are choking hazards for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Corner Fold & Weave Push

Steps:

  • Give your child a piece of cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cardboard into rough, postage stamp-sized pieces.
  • Take one torn cardboard piece. Fold a corner tightly in half, then fold it over one more time to create a dense, narrow point.
  • Place the finished folded pieces in the plastic container. These are your weaving targets.
  • Take a pipe cleaner and curl one end into a loop to create a dull ‘needle.’
  • Hold the folded cardboard piece firmly steady with your helper hand.
  • Use your dominant hand to grip the pipe cleaner needle with a strong pincer grasp. Push the needle straight through the tight folded point of the cardboard.
  • Repeat this process, pushing the pipe cleaner through each resistant cardboard fold.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure any cut ends of the pipe cleaners are curled safely before starting the activity.