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 Sponge Dot Press

Sticky Sponge Dot Press

Steps:

  • Place the thick sponge securely inside the plastic container to keep it stable.
  • Peel the backing off the small sticky Velcro dots. Press them firmly onto the top surface of the sponge.
  • Pour the small beads or buttons into a separate small pile next to the sponge.
  • Ask your child to hold the container steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base.
  • Use their working hand to pick up one bead using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Aim the bead at one of the Velcro targets. Use a strong, controlled press to stick the bead onto the rough Velcro dot.
  • Repeat the pressing action until all the Velcro dots are successfully covered in colorful beads.

Safety Tip:
Small beads and Velcro pieces are potential choking hazards. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure all materials are collected and stored safely after play.

Vertical Fuzzy Line Clip

Vertical Fuzzy Line Clip

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use markers to color 3 or 4 pipe cleaners and matching clothespins (e.g., green, blue, pink).
  • Adult Prep: Tightly stretch the pipe cleaners vertically across the container opening. Secure the ends firmly with tape or punch holes in the container rim to anchor the pipe cleaners.
  • Place the pom-poms and colorful clothespins nearby. Encourage your child to sit stably at the table.
  • Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the ‘fence.’
  • Use the working hand to select a clothespin. Squeeze it open hard with a strong finger pinch.
  • Aim the clothespin and clip it onto the pipe cleaner line that matches its color. Now, clip a pom-pom onto the clothespin for decoration!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small pom-poms and pipe cleaner pieces are choking hazards for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all materials are collected immediately after play.

Kernel Cannon Wall

Kernel Cannon Wall

Steps:

  • Mix the playdough with a little water in the container until it forms a thick, sticky sludge. Stir in a handful of corn kernels to make the mixture highly resistant.
  • Secure the piece of cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape. Use markers to draw a large, simple target shape on the board.
  • Hold the eyedropper (or baster) with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Squeeze the bulb hard to suck up the resistant kernel sludge mixture.
  • Hold the cardboard steady with your helper hand to keep the surface stable. Aim the loaded dropper at the marker target.
  • Squeeze the dropper forcefully to shoot the kernel sludge onto the target. Encourage maximum effort! Repeat this action until the target is completely covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and corn kernels are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure the mixture is used only as intended.

Paper Nugget Transfer Challenge

Paper Nugget Transfer Challenge

Steps:

  • Tear the construction paper into small strips using both hands together.
  • Use only your fingertips to crumple each strip tightly into a dense, hard paper ‘nugget.’ Squeeze hard for maximum strength input!
  • Place the finished nuggets on the table. Set the paper cup nearby as your target.
  • Hold the paper cup steady with your helper hand to keep it stable.
  • Pick up the tongs. Squeeze them open with a strong finger pinch to grab one paper nugget.
  • Carefully transfer the nugget and drop it precisely into the waiting paper cup target. Repeat until all nuggets are sorted.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small, crumpled paper pieces pose a potential choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are collected immediately after play.

Foil Grip & Transfer

Foil Grip & Transfer

Steps:

  • Pour water into a small bowl. Add a drop of food coloring to make it a fun color.
  • Drop the cotton balls into the colored water until they are fully soaked and heavy. Place the wet balls inside the Aluminium Foil Pan.
  • Hold the foil pan firmly steady with your helper hand to keep it stable on the table.
  • Use the tongs to pick up one heavy, wet cotton ball at a time. Encourage your child to squeeze the tongs hard to grasp the slippery material.
  • Carefully lift the wet cotton ball and transfer it to the empty plastic container. Drop it inside the target.
  • Repeat this squeezing and transferring action until the foil pan is completely empty. Count how many successful transfers were made!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small cotton balls can be a choking hazard if ingested. Ensure the child only handles the materials with the tongs or fingers and keeps them away from their mouth.