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 Antenna Balance

Cosmic Antenna Balance

Steps:

  • Press a medium ball of playdough onto the center of a sturdy cardboard sheet to create the base.
  • Push three Q-Tips into the playdough at an angle to create a tripod stand.
  • Place a baking cup upside down on top of the three Q-Tip ends.
  • Gently rest a fourth Q-Tip across the flat bottom of the upside-down baking cup.
  • Carefully slide one paper clip onto each end of the horizontal Q-Tip to act as satellite dishes.
  • Challenge your child to add more paper clips without tipping the whole antenna over!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the structure is built on a flat, stable surface. Keep small parts away from younger siblings.

The Tummy Time Sun Rays

The Tummy Time Sun Rays

Steps:

  • Draw a large sun with long rays on construction paper using your markers.
  • Use masking tape to secure the paper firmly to the floor so it does not move.
  • Squeeze small dots of glue along the lines of the sun’s rays.
  • Ask your child to lie on their stomach on the floor, facing the paper.
  • Place a paper plate with a small pile of beans right in front of them.
  • Encourage your child to lift their chest and head up high while they reach for the beans.
  • Have them use their thumb and pointer finger to pick up one bean at a time.
  • Challenge them to press the beans into the glue dots to decorate the sun.
  • Encourage them to switch hands to help both sides of their body get stronger!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard: Beans are small objects that can be a safety risk. Always supervise your child during play and ensure all beans are collected afterward.

The Beaded Plate Hair Stylist

The Beaded Plate Hair Stylist

Steps:

  • Use your markers to draw a silly face on the paper plate.
  • Squeeze the hole puncher to make holes around the top of the plate.
  • Cut pieces of yarn and tie one through each hole for hair.
  • Give your child a bowl of beads to hold.
  • Ask them to slide the beads onto the yarn strands.
  • Tie a small knot at the end of each piece of yarn.

Safety Tip:
Beads are a significant choking hazard. Always supervise your child during this activity and keep all small materials out of reach of younger siblings.

The Sparkly Pipe Cleaner Spectacles

The Sparkly Pipe Cleaner Spectacles

Steps:

  • Pick two long pipe cleaners to be the main frames of your glasses.
  • Bend each pipe cleaner into a circle.
  • Twist the ends together to lock the shape.
  • Slide colorful beads onto each circle one by one.
  • Use a small piece of pipe cleaner to connect the two circles.
  • Twist a pipe cleaner onto the side of each circle to make the arms.
  • Bend the ends of the arms to fit over your ears.

Safety Tip:
Beads are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are tucked in so they are not sharp.

The Pipe Cleaner Deep Sea Divers

The Pipe Cleaner Deep Sea Divers

Steps:

  • Fill the plastic container about halfway with cool water.
  • Take a colorful pipe cleaner and bend it into the shape of a little person.
  • Ask your child to pick up a nut from the pile using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Thread the nut onto the pipe cleaner diver’s legs to act as a heavy weight.
  • Drop the diver into the water to see if it sinks or floats.
  • Add more nuts and bolts until the diver reaches the very bottom of the tank!
  • Use another pipe cleaner as a hook to fish the divers back up to the surface.

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is seated at a stable table. Metal nuts and bolts are small and should be handled with care.