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.

Pipe Cleaner Ring Drop

Pipe Cleaner Ring Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use the scissors to cut a strip of construction paper that fits over the container opening. Secure this paper firmly with masking tape.
  • Adult Prep: Cut one very narrow, tight slit (about 1.5 inches long) in the center of the secured paper strip to create a resistant mail slot.
  • Give your child the pipe cleaners. Encourage them to use both hands to bend and twist each pipe cleaner into a tight, stiff ring or loop.
  • Ask your child to hold the prepared container firmly with their helper hand to keep it stable on the table.
  • Pick up one stiff pipe cleaner ring. Challenge your child to thread the ring straight through the narrow, resistant slit using a strong, controlled push.
  • Repeat this process until all the loops have successfully been dropped inside the container.

Safety Tip:
Pipe cleaners are a choking hazard if ingested. Constant, direct adult supervision is required. Ensure any cut or broken ends are collected immediately as they may be sharp.

Stick Drop Loader

Stick Drop Loader

Steps:

  • Ask an adult to cut a small, sturdy rectangle from the cardboard. Use scissors to cut 4 to 6 very tight, narrow slits (about 1 inch long) across the cardboard surface.
  • Place the cardboard target vertically against a wall or laid flat on the table. Place the pom-poms and craft sticks nearby.
  • Challenge your child to pick up one pom-pom using only their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Carefully hold the pom-pom and push one end of the craft stick into it until the pom-pom is firmly loaded onto the tip of the stick. This is tricky!
  • Hold the cardboard steady with the helper hand. Use the dominant hand to aim and push the loaded craft stick straight through the resistant slot.
  • The goal is to feel the push and send the loaded stick completely inside the target. Repeat until all the slots are full.

Safety Tip:
Craft sticks are small and pom-poms are choking hazards. Constant, direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity.

Sticky Ribbon Rescue

Sticky Ribbon Rescue

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Tightly wrap a piece of Yarn or Ribbon around a Craft Stick. Secure the ends of the yarn with small, strong strips of Masking Tape.
  • Place the finished stick and the empty Container on a stable table.
  • Challenge your child to hold the stick firmly with their helper hand to keep it still.
  • Encourage your child to use their working hand to pinch an edge of the tape. Pull the tape strip off slowly against the resistance.
  • Once the tape is peeled, they can unwrap the yarn and drop the ‘rescued’ ribbon into the Container. Repeat with other prepared sticks!

Safety Tip:
Ribbon, yarn, and small pieces of masking tape are choking hazards for children under three. Constant, direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child remains seated and materials are not placed near the mouth.

Foil Push Bead Garden

Foil Push Bead Garden

Steps:

  • Place the Aluminium Foil Pan flat on the table. Use markers to draw a few small dots randomly on the pan’s bottom surface. These dots are your targets.
  • Set the pile of Beads and Golf Ball Tees next to the pan in a Plastic Container.
  • Hold the pan firmly with your helper hand. Pick up one Golf Ball Tee using a pincer grasp.
  • Pick up one bead and carefully balance it on the narrow end of the Golf Ball Tee.
  • Aim the tee and bead toward a marker dot. Use a strong, steady push to pierce the foil and drop the bead inside the pan.
  • Repeat this action until all the target dots have a bead successfully ‘planted’ through the foil.

Safety Tip:
Beads and golf tees are small, hard objects. They pose a choking hazard for children under five. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity.

Ribbon Slot Stuffing

Ribbon Slot Stuffing

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use the Scissors to cut three tight, narrow slots (about 1.5 inches long) into the Cardboard or the lid of the Container. Secure the Cardboard/lid tightly using Masking Tape.
  • Give the child long strips of Ribbon. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the Ribbon into small, stamp-sized pieces. Tearing wakes up the hand muscles!
  • Ask your child to hold the container steady with their helper hand (proximal stability) while it sits on the table.
  • Pick up one torn Ribbon piece. Crumple it tightly into a small ball using only their fingertips (working on pincer grasp and in-hand manipulation).
  • Aim the crumpled ribbon ball at a slot. Use a controlled, firm push with the index finger or thumb to send the ribbon piece completely inside the container. Repeat until the container is full!

Safety Tip:
Ribbon pieces are small objects. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout the activity, as they pose a choking hazard for children under five.