Pincer Grasp - Page 19 of 36

Precision Button Drop

Steps:

Fold a piece of construction paper in half (hotdog style) to create a stand-up ‘Postbox’. Glue the edges shut.
Use scissors to cut a short, narrow slit (about 1.5 inches long) in the middle of the ‘Postbox’.
Place a pile of assorted buttons on the table next to the postbox.
Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) to pick up one button.
Hold the paper box steady with your helper hand. Push the button into the narrow slot.
Try to fill the entire ‘Postbox’ with buttons!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the buttons are large enough not to be inhaled or swallowed. Always closely supervise the child, especially when using small manipulative objects and sharp tools like scissors.

Pom-pom Poking Garden

Steps:

Set up the ‘garden bed’ by pressing a large chunk of playdough firmly into the bottom or lid of the plastic container, creating a flat, stable surface (the ‘soil’).
Give the child a handful of toothpicks. Encourage them to hold the toothpick using their three working fingers (thumb, index, and middle finger) just like they hold a pencil, and poke several deep ‘starter holes’ into the playdough.
Present the pom-poms (the ‘flowers’). Challenge the child to pick up one pom-pom at a time using only their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp).
The child then carefully places the pom-pom onto the top of an upright toothpick, creating a colorful and pointy ‘garden.’ Continue until the garden is full!
When finished, encourage the child to carefully remove the pom-poms and toothpicks, working on the opposite motion (pulling up) to vary the resistance.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise closely due to the sharp ends of the toothpicks. Ensure the child remains seated while working to maintain focus and stability, discouraging standing or carrying the toothpicks while walking.

Tissue Tear Treasures

Steps:

Help your child draw a large, simple shape (like a star, a big letter, or a cloud) onto the construction paper. This will be the canvas for the ‘treasure’ art.
Present the tissue paper. Encourage your child to use both hands to tear the tissue paper into small strips or pieces. Focus on using the thumb and index finger to initiate the tear.
Show the child how to crumple those small pieces into tiny, tight balls (treasures!). This step heavily promotes strong intrinsic muscles and a precise pincer grasp.
Apply glue along the lines of the drawn shape. Encourage the child to pick up the crumpled tissue balls and press them onto the glue, filling in the shape until the ‘treasure’ collage is complete.

Safety Tip:
Supervise closely during this activity. Ensure the child uses glue appropriately (dot, not a large glob). Because this activity involves very small pieces of paper, teach the child to keep them on the table, not near the mouth.

Sticky Straw Scoop

Steps:

Prepare the ‘scoop’ by taking a straw and securing a small loop of masking tape (sticky side facing out) onto one end.
Place a pile of pom-poms on the table and the empty Container next to the Construction Paper target.
Show the child how to hold the straw using their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp), just like holding a miniature pencil.
Challenge the child to carefully touch the sticky straw tip to a pom-pom, lifting it when it sticks firmly.
The child then transfers the sticky pom-pom over the container and uses their non-dominant hand or fingertips to peel it off the straw and drop it in.
Continue this process until all the pom-poms are successfully moved from the starting pile into the container.

Safety Tip:
Always provide close adult supervision during this activity. Ensure the child understands that the small pom-poms and tape are not to be put in the mouth.

Foam Monster Feed

Steps:

An adult should cut out a large, fun shape from the Foam Sheet and Glue it securely onto the Plastic Container (this is the monster’s face).
Use Markers to draw a face. Then, carefully poke 10 to 15 small holes through the Foam and Container. The holes should be slightly smaller than the Pipe Cleaners for good resistance.
Place the container on the table. Ask your child to use one hand to firmly hold the container steady (proximal stability).
Challenge your child to use their dominant hand to pick up one Pipe Cleaner (the “monster snack”) using a precise Pincer Grasp.
Encourage them to push the pipe cleaner straight into one of the resistant holes to ‘feed’ the monster. The pushing provides great heavy work for their hands.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners can have sharp ends after cutting or pose a mild choking hazard if put in the mouth. Ensure the bucket is stable before the child pushes the materials.