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.

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

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.

Vertical Tear & Crumple Press

Vertical Tear & Crumple Press

Steps:

  • Secure the cardboard piece vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape.
  • Use long strips of masking tape, sticky side OUT, to create a large shape (like a circle or square) onto the cardboard surface.
  • Give your toddler strips of construction paper. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the paper into small, rough pieces.
  • Challenge your child to crumple each torn piece tightly into a small, dense ball using only their fingertips.
  • Hold the cardboard steady with the helper hand. Pick up one dense paper ball using a pincer grasp.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to firmly press the paper ball onto the vertical sticky tape shape. Repeat until the shape is covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Torn paper pieces are a choking hazard for children under three. Ensure your child remains standing or sitting stably and does not attempt to put materials in their 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.