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.

Cosmic Tissue Bottle Push

Cosmic Tissue Bottle Push

Steps:

  • Adult: Give your child several sheets of colorful tissue paper.
  • Child: Tear the paper into small pieces using both hands.
  • Crumple each piece into a very tight, round ball.
  • Adult: Secure two pipe cleaners over the bottle mouth in an X shape.
  • Use masking tape to hold the pipe cleaners to the bottle sides.
  • Child: Hold the bottle steady with your helper hand.
  • Use your pinching fingers to pick up a paper ball.
  • Push the ball hard through the fuzzy pipe cleaner gate until it drops inside.

Safety Tip:
Tissue paper and pipe cleaners can be a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play to keep them safe.

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

Steps:

  • Tape your piece of cardboard flat on the table so it stays in one place while you play.
  • Use the hole puncher to make two columns of holes down the cardboard, leaving space in the middle.
  • Ask your child to pick up a pipe cleaner and push one end into a hole.
  • Show them how to slide a few colorful beads onto the pipe cleaner one at a time.
  • Help them bend the pipe cleaner and push the other end into a hole on the opposite side.
  • Keep going until you have a row of fuzzy, beaded bridges across your cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Beads and pipe cleaner pieces can be small. Always watch your child closely to make sure they do not put any materials in their mouth.

Sticky Balloon Treasure Peel

Sticky Balloon Treasure Peel

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
  • Wrap several strips of masking tape around the balloon.
  • Make sure the sticky side faces outward.
  • Press several cotton balls onto the sticky tape.
  • Ask your child to hold the balloon with their helper hand.
  • Have them use their other hand to peel the cotton balls off.
  • Drop the rescued cotton balls into a basket.

Safety Tip:
Balloons and broken pieces are a serious choking hazard. Always watch your child and pick up popped pieces right away.

The Vertical Bead Zip-Line

The Vertical Bead Zip-Line

Steps:

  • Tape a large piece of cardboard vertically onto a wall.
  • Cut the paper roll into three small rings using scissors.
  • Tape the rings onto the cardboard in a vertical zigzag pattern.
  • Thread a long piece of yarn through all three rings.
  • Tape the top and bottom of the yarn to the cardboard.
  • Slide one large bead onto the yarn before taping the bottom.
  • Give your child a pipe cleaner to use as a poker.
  • Ask them to push the bead up through each ring.
  • Use the helper hand to keep the cardboard steady.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the cardboard is taped securely to the wall to prevent it from falling during play.

The Supine Tape Rescue

The Supine Tape Rescue

Steps:

  • Place two sturdy boxes about two feet apart on a carpeted floor.
  • Stretch several long strips of masking tape between the boxes with the sticky side facing down toward the floor.
  • Press lightweight treasures like ribbons, feathers, and paper clips onto the sticky tape bridge.
  • Ask your child to lie on their back on the floor between the two boxes, looking up at the tape.
  • Encourage them to reach up with one hand to peel a treasure off the tape.
  • Challenge them to use their other hand to hold a basket as they rescue all the treasures!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put any small items like paper clips in their mouth.