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 Silver Pan Web Weaver

The Silver Pan Web Weaver

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw ten dots around the rim of the pan.
  • Use a pencil to poke a hole through each dot.
  • Tie one end of the yarn to the first hole.
  • Thread the yarn across the pan to another hole.
  • Continue until the silver web is finished!

Safety Tip:
Poking holes with a pencil requires steady hands. Always supervise your child to prevent any pokes to the skin.

The Styrofoam Star Map

The Styrofoam Star Map

Steps:

  • Grab a flat block of Styrofoam and set it on the table.
  • Use a marker to draw 8 small dots across the foam.
  • Ask your child to pick up a golf ball tee using their pinching fingers.
  • Have them push the pointy end of the tee straight into a dot.
  • Repeat this until all the stars have a pillar standing up.
  • Now, place a single bead on top of each golf ball tee.
  • Ask them to move slowly so the beads stay on the pillars.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Golf ball tees have pointed ends and beads are a choking hazard. Keep these materials away from small children and pets.

The Fuzzy Button Link

The Fuzzy Button Link

Steps:

  • Select several colorful pipe cleaners and a handful of large buttons.
  • Show your child how to thread a pipe cleaner through a button hole.
  • Ask them to pull it halfway and twist the end to secure it.
  • Have them thread the other end through a hole in another button.
  • Continue connecting buttons with pipe cleaners to form a long link chain.
  • Challenge your child to see how many links they can add to the chain!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play as buttons and pipe cleaners can be a choking hazard.

The Cardboard Ribbon Slider

The Cardboard Ribbon Slider

Steps:

  • Help your child cut a rectangular piece of cardboard about the size of a book.
  • Adult step: Use scissors to poke three narrow slots across the middle of the cardboard.
  • Make sure the slots are just wide enough for your ribbon to pass through.
  • Thread a long piece of ribbon through the first slot from the back to the front.
  • Guide the ribbon back through the second slot, and then out through the third.
  • Tie a small knot at each end of the ribbon so it cannot be pulled all the way out.
  • Use masking tape to secure the cardboard to the table if it slides too much.
  • Have your child use one hand to hold the cardboard and the other to pull the ribbon.
  • Encourage them to pull the ribbon back and forth through the slots until they finish.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors or handling long pieces of ribbon.

The Sticky Straw Chimney

The Sticky Straw Chimney

Steps:

  • Tape the bottom of a paper roll to a stable table.
  • Wrap masking tape around the roll with the sticky side out.
  • Give your child a bunch of colorful straws to hold.
  • Have them press each straw vertically onto the sticky tape.
  • Ask them to build a full circle of straws around the roll.
  • Drop fluffy cotton balls through the top of your straw chimney.
  • See if you can catch the balls as they pop out!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they do not put straws or cotton balls in their mouth.