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.

Sticky Straw Scoop

Sticky Straw Scoop

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘scoop’ by taking a straw and securing a small loop of masking tape (sticky side facing out) onto one end.
  • Place a pile of pom-poms on the table and the empty Container next to the Construction Paper target.
  • Show the child how to hold the straw using their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp), just like holding a miniature pencil.
  • Challenge the child to carefully touch the sticky straw tip to a pom-pom, lifting it when it sticks firmly.
  • The child then transfers the sticky pom-pom over the container and uses their non-dominant hand or fingertips to peel it off the straw and drop it in.
  • Continue this process until all the pom-poms are successfully moved from the starting pile into the container.

Safety Tip:
Always provide close adult supervision during this activity. Ensure the child understands that the small pom-poms and tape are not to be put in 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.