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.

Playdough Pothole Punch

Playdough Pothole Punch

Steps:

  • Firmly press a large lump of playdough onto the back of a paper plate.
  • The plate should be upside down and the playdough acts as a resistant base.
  • Pick up one golf ball tee using your thumb and pointer finger.
  • Hold the paper plate steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Aim the blunt end of the tee at the playdough.
  • Use strong, controlled force to press the tee into the playdough, creating a deep ‘pothole.’
  • Repeat the punching action until the entire playdough surface is filled with holes.
  • Try gently twisting the tee as you push it in to change the resistance.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and golf ball tees are small objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Foil Freight Slot Push

Foil Freight Slot Push

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a 1-inch vertical slit down the center of the paper roll. Secure the roll upright onto a piece of cardboard using masking tape.
  • Give your child small squares of aluminum foil. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the foil into smaller pieces for heavy work input.
  • Challenge your child to squeeze and crumple each foil piece tightly into a small, dense ‘cargo ball.’ Squeezing hard builds hand strength.
  • Hold the paper roll chute firmly steady with your helper hand. This provides proximal stability for the working hand.
  • Pick up one dense foil ball using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Aim the ball at the narrow slit.
  • Use a controlled push to feed the foil cargo completely through the slot. Drop it into the container below. Repeat until all cargo is delivered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small, dense foil balls pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the foil is crumpled tightly to avoid sharp edges.

Tear & Thread Cardboard Chain

Tear & Thread Cardboard Chain

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Secure a piece of construction paper onto a stable piece of cardboard. Use the hole puncher to create 8 to 10 holes evenly around the edges of the board.
  • Give your child strips of sturdy cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the strips and crumple the pieces into tight, dense balls. Drop the finished balls into the container.
  • Pick up one colorful pipe cleaner. Help your child push the stiff pipe cleaner straight through the center of one dense cardboard ball. This creates a ‘loaded pin’.
  • Challenge your child to hold the cardboard frame steady with their helper hand. Thread the loaded pin through one punched hole in the frame. Pull the pipe cleaner through.
  • Weave the pin back through the next open hole, linking the crumpled cardboard ball to the frame. Repeat this process until all the crumpled pieces create a colorful chain around the border.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of torn cardboard and cut pipe cleaners are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Foam Corduroy Road Push

Foam Corduroy Road Push

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut the Foam Sheet into several small strips (about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long). Roll each strip tightly into a narrow tube and secure the seam with masking tape.
  • Use masking tape to secure these foam tubes vertically onto the piece of sturdy cardboard. Arrange them close together to look like a ‘corduroy road’.
  • Cut the pipe cleaners into short, stiff 3-inch segments. Place these ‘cords’ in the plastic container.
  • Challenge your child to hold the cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand. This provides stability for the pushing hand.
  • Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to pick up one pipe cleaner cord.
  • Aim the cord at the top opening of a foam tube. Push the pipe cleaner straight down until it travels completely through the resistant foam tube. Repeat until all the tubes are filled!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Adults must handle the scissors for preparation. The short pipe cleaner pieces are small materials and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths.

Wet Sponge Kernel Rescue

Wet Sponge Kernel Rescue

Steps:

  • Pour water into the bowl. Drop the corn kernels onto the dry sponge. Soak the sponge fully in the water until it is heavy and saturated.
  • Use both hands to lift the sponge out of the bowl. Squeeze the sponge hard over the bowl, pressing out all the water and kernels. This is heavy work!
  • Once the sponge is damp (not dripping), place it flat on the table. The wet kernels should be sticking slightly to the surface.
  • Hold the sponge steady with your helper hand. Use the tongs to carefully pick up each wet corn kernel one by one.
  • Transfer the rescued kernels into the empty plastic container. Repeat the soaking and squeezing steps when the sponge gets too dry.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry corn kernels are small, hard objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.