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.

Resistance Stick Tangle

Resistance Stick Tangle

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut several 18-inch strips of yarn. Tightly wrap each yarn strip around a craft stick until only the ends are exposed.
  • Secure the wrapped yarn tightly to the craft stick using small, strong strips of masking tape. Press the tape down hard for maximum resistance.
  • Place all the secured, tangled sticks into the plastic container. Decorate the container using markers.
  • Sit stably at a table. Use your helper hand to hold the container firmly steady to keep it from tipping.
  • Use your working hand to grip the exposed end of one craft stick with a strong pincer grasp.
  • Challenge yourself to pull the stick straight up and out of the resistant yarn tangle. Feel the effort! Drop the rescued stick into a pile.
  • Repeat this process until all the sticks have been successfully pulled free from the tangle.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of yarn and masking tape pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child uses materials only as intended.

Spiral Stick Rotator

Spiral Stick Rotator

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a piece of construction paper to fit the container lid. Secure this paper tightly onto the lid with masking tape.
  • Cut one tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the center of the taped paper lid. This is your resistant slot.
  • Use markers to draw tight, colorful stripes or a spiral design around several craft sticks. Make sure the designs are dense.
  • Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Pick up a striped stick. Challenge them to gently push the end of the stick into the narrow slot.
  • They must twist the stick repeatedly (rotating their forearm) to guide the colored pattern through the resistant slot.
  • Continue twisting and pushing until the entire stick is posted inside. Repeat this with all the prepared sticks!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the narrow slot is only used for the craft sticks. Collect any small pieces of torn paper or tape immediately.

Water Pocket Clip Boats

Water Pocket Clip Boats

Steps:

  • Fill a Ziplock Bag halfway with corn kernels.
  • Add a small amount of water to make the mixture thick and resistant.
  • Seal the bag tightly, ensuring all excess air is completely removed.
  • Use markers to draw small boat shapes onto construction paper.
  • Use scissors to cut the boat shapes out.
  • Lay the sealed bag flat inside a shallow container to keep it stable.
  • Pick up a clothespin. Squeeze it open using a strong finger pinch.
  • Clip one paper boat securely onto the clothespin.
  • Hold the resistant corn bag steady with your helper hand.
  • Clip the boat and clothespin firmly onto the dense bag surface. Push hard until it feels securely anchored!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Corn kernels are a choking hazard if ingested. Ensure the Ziplock Bag is sealed completely and the child remains seated while working.

Felt Pocket Clip Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a piece of felt that covers the container opening. Cut 6 to 8 very tight, narrow vertical slits into the felt.
  • Secure the felt tightly over the container opening using masking tape around the rim. The felt should be firm.
  • Place the pom-poms in a bowl. Practice squeezing a clothespin open using a strong two-finger pinch.
  • Challenge your child to pick up one pom-pom by securing it gently inside the open clothespin.
  • Hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand. This stabilizes the base.
  • Aim the clothespin and pom-pom at a narrow felt slit. Use a strong, controlled push to insert the pom-pom completely into the pocket.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Sticky Stick Pull

Sticky Stick Pull

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Secure a piece of construction paper onto a stable piece of cardboard using masking tape. This is your sticky work surface.
  • Place 6 to 8 craft sticks flat across the paper. Secure both ends of each stick firmly with a small, tight strip of masking tape. Press the tape down hard to increase resistance.
  • Encourage your toddler to use their helper hand to hold the cardboard steady on the table, preventing it from slipping while they work.
  • Challenge them to use their dominant hand to find the edge of the tape strip. Use their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to pinch and pull the tape and the stick off the board in one strong, controlled motion.
  • Gather all the freed sticks and repeat the entire process! Try using strips of tape that are longer or shorter to change the difficulty.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of torn tape and the craft sticks pose a potential choking hazard for toddlers who still place objects in their mouths. Discard all materials immediately after use.