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 Foam Garden Button Push

The Foam Garden Button Push

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw a simple flower center on your foam sheet.
  • Ask an adult to cut four narrow slits around the flower center using scissors.
  • Place the foam sheet flat on the table.
  • Have your child hold the foam steady with their helper hand.
  • Give them a pile of colorful, large buttons to use as petals.
  • Ask them to use their pinching fingers to push a button halfway into a slit.
  • Repeat until the flower has a full circle of colorful button petals!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small buttons can be a choking hazard. Ensure the buttons are large enough and kept away from the mouth.

The Foil Bead Wrap Rescue

The Foil Bead Wrap Rescue

Steps:

  • Tear off several small squares of aluminum foil, about the size of your hand.
  • Place one colorful bead in the center of a foil square.
  • Show your toddler how to use their fingertips to crumple the foil around the bead until it is completely hidden.
  • Place all the finished ‘silver balls’ into a bowl.
  • Ask your child to pick up one ball using their pinching fingers.
  • Challenge them to use both hands to carefully unwrap the foil and rescue the bead inside!
  • Once rescued, drop the bead into a separate tray and start the next one.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses small beads. Always supervise your toddler closely and ensure they do not put any materials in their mouth.

The Sticky Bottle Bead Roll

The Sticky Bottle Bead Roll

Steps:

  • Take an empty plastic bottle and make sure it is clean and dry.
  • Wrap a long piece of masking tape around the middle of the bottle.
  • Make sure the sticky side is facing out toward you.
  • Secure the ends of the tape with two smaller pieces of tape so it stays in place.
  • Scatter a handful of colorful beads inside a flat plastic container.
  • Show your child how to hold the bottle with both hands.
  • Ask them to roll the bottle over the beads until they stick to the tape.
  • Once the bottle is decorated, have them use their fingers to peel the beads off one by one.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses beads which are small parts. Always supervise your toddler closely. Ensure they do not put beads or tape in their mouth.

The Shimmering Treasure Pop

The Shimmering Treasure Pop

Steps:

  • Tape four baking cups onto a flat piece of cardboard to keep them steady.
  • Place one shiny coin inside the bottom of each baking cup.
  • Cut squares of aluminium foil that are slightly larger than the top of the cups.
  • Place the foil over the opening and wrap the edges tightly around the cup rim.
  • Use masking tape to secure the foil around the sides so it stays taut.
  • Ask your child to use only their index finger to pop through the foil.
  • Once they break through, have them use their pinching fingers to pull out the hidden treasure!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small coins and pieces of foil are significant choking hazards. Ensure all materials are stored away after the game.

The Texture Match Mailbox

The Texture Match Mailbox

Steps:

  • Help your child cut three small rectangles from the felt, fabric, and foil.
  • Glue one of these texture samples next to a small slot you cut in the shoe box lid.
  • Cut several more small scraps of each material and put them in a pile.
  • Ask your child to feel a texture on the lid first.
  • Challenge them to find the matching scrap from the pile using their eyes and hands.
  • Once they find a match, have them push it through the correct slot!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure all material scraps are large enough to be handled safely and not placed in the mouth.