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.

The Foil Pan Rice Sort

The Foil Pan Rice Sort

Steps:

  • Pour a large bag of dry rice into the mixing bowl.
  • Drop ten colorful buttons into the rice and mix them in with your hands.
  • Pour the mixture into the shallow aluminium foil pan so the rice is spread out.
  • Place a paper cup at the corner of the pan to act as the treasure chest.
  • Ask your child to hold the pan steady with their helper hand.
  • Have them use a spoon to scoop through the rice and find the hidden buttons.
  • Once a button is found, use a pincer grasp to pick it up and drop it into the cup!
  • Repeat until all the treasures have been safely moved into the cup.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small buttons and rice grains are choking hazards and should never be put in the mouth.

The Metal Button Spire

The Metal Button Spire

Steps:

  • Use your pencil to poke a hole in the center of a sturdy cardboard square.
  • Push a long bolt through the hole so the threads point straight up.
  • Place a button onto the bolt so it rests flat on the cardboard.
  • Pick up a nut and twist it onto the bolt using your fingertips.
  • Spin the nut all the way down until it touches the button.
  • Add another button and then twist on a second nut.
  • Continue stacking buttons and nuts to build a tall, colorful spire!
  • Use your non-dominant hand to hold the cardboard base steady.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Nuts and bolts are small parts that can be a choking hazard. Ensure all materials are used safely.

The Silver Foil Path Trace

The Silver Foil Path Trace

Steps:

  • Glue a sheet of aluminium foil onto a piece of cardboard.
  • Use your hands to smooth the foil until it is very flat.
  • Use a bright marker to draw a curvy path across the foil.
  • Ask your child to pick up a pom-pom using their pinching fingers.
  • Challenge them to slide the pom-pom slowly along the drawn path.
  • Try drawing a zigzag or a circle to make it harder!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small pom-poms can be a choking hazard. Ensure the edges of the foil are tucked safely behind the cardboard to prevent any sharp edges.

The Sticky Tab Treasure Hunt

The Sticky Tab Treasure Hunt

Steps:

  • Tape the sturdy cardboard piece flat onto the table.
  • Use the markers to draw fun circles on the cardboard.
  • Place one colorful sticker inside each of the drawn circles.
  • Cut your index cards into smaller squares to cover the stickers.
  • Tape the top edge of each square to the board to make a door.
  • Fold a small piece of tape over the bottom edge of the card.
  • Make sure a little bit of the tape sticks out like a handle.
  • Ask your child to use their pinching fingers to pull the tab.
  • They will find a hidden sticker surprise under each door!
  • Encourage your child to use their other hand to hold the board.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small stickers and tape pieces can be a choking hazard. Keep all materials away from the mouth.

The Masking Tape Finger Ladder

The Masking Tape Finger Ladder

Steps:

  • Tape a large piece of cardboard vertically to a wall at your child’s eye level.
  • Use a marker to draw two long vertical lines on the cardboard to look like a ladder frame.
  • Cut ten short strips of masking tape using your scissors.
  • Stick the tape strips between the lines to create the ladder rungs.
  • Ask your child to ‘walk’ their index and middle fingers up the ladder like a tiny person.
  • Once they reach the top, have them use their pinching fingers to peel the top rung off.
  • Continue walking and peeling until every rung is in a pile on the floor!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely during play. Ensure they do not put masking tape in their mouth. Make sure the cardboard is secured firmly to the wall.