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.

Foam Monster Feed

Foam Monster Feed

Steps:

  • An adult should cut out a large, fun shape from the Foam Sheet and Glue it securely onto the Plastic Container (this is the monster’s face).
  • Use Markers to draw a face. Then, carefully poke 10 to 15 small holes through the Foam and Container. The holes should be slightly smaller than the Pipe Cleaners for good resistance.
  • Place the container on the table. Ask your child to use one hand to firmly hold the container steady (proximal stability).
  • Challenge your child to use their dominant hand to pick up one Pipe Cleaner (the “monster snack”) using a precise Pincer Grasp.
  • Encourage them to push the pipe cleaner straight into one of the resistant holes to ‘feed’ the monster. The pushing provides great heavy work for their hands.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners can have sharp ends after cutting or pose a mild choking hazard if put in the mouth. Ensure the bucket is stable before the child pushes the materials.

Sequin Push Maze

Sequin Push Maze

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw a winding path or simple maze onto the foam sheet.
  • Place the foam sheet flat on the table. Ask your child to hold the sheet steady with their helper hand.
  • Put a small pile of colorful sequins at the starting point of the maze.
  • Challenge your child to pick up one sequin using a strong pincer grasp.
  • Switch grip: Use only the tip of their pointer finger to gently push the sequin along the drawn line to the finish.
  • The child must use steady pressure and friction to keep the sequin moving without flying off the foam.

Safety Tip:
Sequins are very small objects. Close adult supervision is required throughout the activity as they pose a significant choking hazard for children under five.

Cardboard Punch Art

Cardboard Punch Art

Steps:

  • Decorate a small cardboard square using the markers. Draw simple lines or fun shapes on your canvas.
  • Place the cardboard flat on a sturdy table. Hold it firmly with your helper hand for stability.
  • Take the hole puncher and aim it at the cardboard. Squeeze hard to punch holes all over the decorated piece.
  • Try using only your dominant hand to squeeze the puncher. The cardboard provides great resistance!
  • Gather the pipe cleaners from the container. Curl one end of a pipe cleaner into a loop to create a dull ‘needle.’
  • Thread the pipe cleaner through the punched holes. Create colorful patterns as you weave in and out.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if hands are misplaced. The small cardboard punch-outs and pipe cleaner pieces are small objects. They pose a choking hazard for children under five.

Precision Bead Path

Precision Bead Path

Steps:

  • Draw a simple winding path or grid onto the index card using a marker.
  • Make small, uniform dots along the drawn path to create targets.
  • Carefully place tiny dots of liquid glue onto each marker target dot.
  • Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) to pick up one bead.
  • Stabilize the card with the helper hand. Precisely place the bead directly onto the wet glue dot.
  • Continue working to fill the entire dotted path until your design is complete.

Safety Tip:
Beads are very small and pose a serious choking hazard for children under five. Maintain constant, direct adult supervision throughout this activity. Ensure all materials are collected and stored safely after play.

Sticker Garden Peel

Sticker Garden Peel

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘garden’ by firmly taping a small piece of cardboard (or a stiff paper plate) to the table surface or high chair tray using masking tape. Securing the surface helps the child focus purely on peeling.
  • Place several easy-to-peel stickers (like dot stickers or large character stickers) onto the cardboard surface. Place them far enough apart that the child must target one at a time.
  • Encourage your child to use just their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to try and peel the sticker off the cardboard. Provide verbal cues like, ‘Use your pinching fingers!’
  • Once peeled, the child can practice sticking the sticker onto another piece of paper or directly onto a designated container. This shift between peeling and sticking promotes bilateral hand coordination (stabilizing the paper/container with the non-working hand).

Safety Tip:
Due to the small size of many stickers, ensure close adult supervision at all times, as stickers can be a choking hazard if placed in the mouth. Only use high-quality stickers that peel cleanly.