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.

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the cardboard firmly onto a stable table. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections if needed.
  • Encourage your child to wrap one pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil. Slide the pencil out to create a small, dense coil. Repeat this action to create six colorful coils.
  • Use small pieces of masking tape to secure one end of each finished coil firmly onto the cardboard base. Space the coils out slightly in a winding path.
  • Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 18 inches). Tie one end of the ribbon securely onto the first coil target.
  • Challenge your child to use their fingertips to carefully push the loose end of the ribbon straight through the center of the next tight coil.
  • Continue this weaving action. The child should push the ribbon through each coil one by one until they reach the end of the coiled line.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required, as sharp scissors are used for preparation. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled or tucked safely. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

Cardboard Coin Mail

Cardboard Coin Mail

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a narrow, horizontal slot (about 1 inch long) into the container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with masking tape.
  • Give your child the cardboard. Encourage them to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
  • Challenge them to squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto the cardboard to create a big pile of small cardboard ‘coins.’ Squeezing hard provides deep muscle input!
  • Ask your child to pick up one stiff cardboard coin using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Aim the cardboard coin at the narrow slot.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to mail the coin completely through the resistant slot. Repeat until all the coins are successfully delivered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if hands are misplaced. Ensure all small cardboard pieces are collected immediately after play, as they pose a choking hazard.

Card Link Twister

Card Link Twister

Steps:

  • Use the marker to number 8 index cards sequentially from 1 through 8. This creates your chain links.
  • Use the hole puncher to create two holes at the top edge of each numbered card link.
  • Hold Card #1 steady with your helper hand. Push one bolt through each of the two punched holes.
  • Use your working hand to twist a nut firmly onto the end of each bolt. Practice using quick finger movements.
  • Now, take Card #2. Thread the exposed bolts from Card #1 through the holes in Card #2.
  • Twist two new nuts onto the exposed bolts to link the two cards securely together.
  • Continue this process, linking the numbered cards in order until you have created a long, flexible, and colorful chain.

Safety Tip:
Nuts and bolts are very small pieces. Ensure all materials are kept away from the mouth and supervised closely during assembly to prevent choking hazards.

Sponge Edge Clip Match

Sponge Edge Clip Match

Steps:

  • Soak the sponge completely in water until it is heavy and dense. Wring it out slightly so it is damp, not dripping.
  • Place the damp sponge firmly inside the plastic container to keep it stable on the table.
  • Use markers to color the base of the clothespins with 3 to 4 bright colors (e.g., red, blue, green).
  • Draw small, matching colored dots around the thick perimeter of the damp sponge, spacing them out evenly.
  • Ask your child to hold the container steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
  • Pick up a colored clothespin. Encourage them to squeeze it open using a strong finger pinch.
  • Carefully clip the pin onto the sponge edge, matching the colored pin to the colored dot target. Continue clipping until all the dots are covered.

Safety Tip:
Clothespins are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child only handles the materials as intended.

Paper Crumple Pin Push

Paper Crumple Pin Push

Steps:

  • Tear the construction paper into small pieces. Encourage your child to crumple these pieces tightly into dense, hard balls using both hands.
  • Spread a thick layer of glue or use masking tape loops to secure the crumpled paper balls onto the cardboard base, covering the surface completely. Let it dry to create a resistant layer.
  • Place the finished board on a stable table. Hold the cardboard base firmly steady with your helper hand. This is important for proximal stability.
  • Pick up one Q-Tip using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Aim the Q-Tip at the resistant paper layer.
  • Challenge your child to use a strong, controlled push to pierce the Q-Tip straight through the dense paper. Feel the heavy work input!
  • Repeat this pushing action until the entire board is filled with Q-Tip ‘pins.’
  • Use a precise pincer grasp to place a pom-pom onto the top of each Q-Tip stem for decoration.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips and small pom-poms are choking hazards for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.