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.

Shredded Paper Glue Dot

Shredded Paper Glue Dot

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw 8-10 tiny target dots onto the sturdy cardboard base. Keep the dots small for a precision challenge.
  • Take one index card. Use both hands together to rip the card into tiny, jagged pieces. Encourage strong, controlled pulls for heavy work input. Drop the scraps into the container.
  • Pick up the glue bottle. Carefully squeeze a small, controlled dot of glue directly onto each marker target dot.
  • Now, use the tweezers. Pinch one tiny paper scrap using a strong pincer grasp.
  • Hold the cardboard steady with your helper hand. Aim the scrap at a wet glue dot and carefully press it down to secure it. Repeat until all dots are filled!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small paper scraps and tweezers are used in this activity. These materials pose a choking hazard for young children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Foil Cap Tweezer Feed

Foil Cap Tweezer Feed

Steps:

  • Tear the aluminum foil into small, manageable strips using both hands.
  • Use your fingertips to tightly crumple each strip into a dense ‘rock.’ Place these rocks in the container.
  • Hold the bottle firmly steady with your helper hand. Use your dominant hand to twist the cap off completely.
  • Pick up the tweezers. Use a precise pincer grasp to grab one tiny foil rock.
  • Carefully carry and drop the foil rock into the narrow bottle opening.
  • Twist the cap firmly back onto the bottle. Repeat the whole sequence until the bottle is full.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure children compress the foil tightly to avoid sharp edges. Collect all small foil pieces and tweezers immediately after play, as they pose a potential choking hazard.

Tension Track Push

Tension Track Push

Steps:

  • Twist three pipe cleaners together tightly to create 4-5 thick, stiff ‘resistance bands.’
  • Stretch and secure these bands tightly across the sturdy cardboard base using masking tape underneath.
  • The bands should be spaced out to create narrow tracks for the beans.
  • Place the beans and craft sticks in the container. Ask the child to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
  • Pick up one bean using a neat pincer grasp. Load it onto the tip of the craft stick.
  • Aim the loaded stick at the cardboard track between two tight bands.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to slide the bean under the taut pipe cleaner band.
  • Continue pushing the bean along the track until it reaches the end. Repeat until all tracks are filled with beans.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beans, pipe cleaners, and small cardboard pieces are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Tension Net Drop

Tension Net Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Twist two pipe cleaners tightly together to make 3 to 4 thick, sturdy “bands.”
  • Stretch the pipe cleaner bands across the container opening. Crisscross them to create a tight, resistant net.
  • Use masking tape to anchor the ends firmly to the container sides.
  • Place the buttons and craft sticks nearby. Ask your child to pick up a button using their pincer grasp.
  • Hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand. This provides proximal stability.
  • Use the craft stick to aim the button at the resistant pipe cleaner net.
  • Encourage a strong, controlled push to send the button popping through the network.
  • Repeat until all buttons are successfully dropped inside.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Buttons, pipe cleaners, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Sticky Sequin Tongs Pull

Sticky Sequin Tongs Pull

Steps:

  • Squeeze several small, thick dots of liquid glue onto a sturdy piece of cardboard.
  • Press one sequin firmly into the center of each wet glue dot. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until it is very tacky and resistant.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
  • Use the tongs to firmly pinch one sequin. Encourage them to hold the tongs like a pencil.
  • Use a strong, controlled pull to peel the sticky dot completely off the cardboard surface.
  • Transfer the rescued sequin and drop it precisely into the empty container target. Repeat until all the dots are pulled free!

Safety Tip:
Sequins and small glue dots are tiny materials. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure all small pieces are collected immediately after play, as they pose a choking hazard.