Skill: Proprioception

Proprioception is how your body knows what position it is in. It is the sense that enables us to know where the different parts of our body are, how they are moving, and how much strength our muscles need to use. Our muscles, joints, and skin all contain sensory receptors that contribute to proprioceptive input.

The Balloon Tongs Catch

The Balloon Tongs Catch

Steps:

  • Blow up a bright balloon and tie it securely.
  • Place an empty basket on the floor across the room.
  • Give your child a pair of sturdy tongs to hold.
  • Toss the balloon gently into the air for them.
  • Challenge your child to squeeze and catch the balloon using only the tongs.
  • Have them carry the balloon carefully and drop it into the basket.
  • If the balloon drops, they must start over from the beginning.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Discard any popped balloon pieces immediately to prevent a choking hazard.

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Steps:

  • Lay out three long strips of cardboard in a zigzag line on the floor.
  • Use masking tape to stick the cardboard firmly to the ground.
  • Use markers to draw five small circles along the cardboard path.
  • Place a paper cup at the very end of the line.
  • Fill a plastic container with colorful pom-poms and place it at the start.
  • Give your child a handful of paper clips to hold in one hand.
  • Ask your child to walk slowly along the cardboard beam.
  • As they walk, they must place one pom-pom inside each drawn circle.
  • While standing on the beam, they must use pincer fingers to slide a paper clip onto the paper cup.
  • If they step off the cardboard, they have to go back to the start!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor area is clear of other toys to prevent tripping. Make sure the cardboard is taped flat so it is not slippery.

The Balancing Cardboard Bird

The Balancing Cardboard Bird

Steps:

  • Draw a large bird shape on a piece of cardboard with your markers.
  • Make sure the bird has wide wings that curve forward past the beak.
  • Use your scissors to carefully cut the bird shape out of the cardboard.
  • Place one coin on the very front tip of each bird wing.
  • Use masking tape to secure the coins firmly to the cardboard wings.
  • Hold the bird by the body and rest the beak on your fingertip.
  • Watch as the bird balances perfectly in the air without falling!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors. Coins are a choking hazard, so keep them away from younger siblings who might put things in their mouths.

Heavy Roll Cotton Sweep

Heavy Roll Cotton Sweep

Steps:

  • Adult: Fill an empty paper roll halfway with dry rice.
  • Use several layers of masking tape to seal the ends.
  • Child: Stand up and hold the roll with both hands.
  • Place a few cotton balls on a smooth floor.
  • Use the heavy roll to push the balls toward the basket.
  • Try to keep the roll straight so the balls don’t escape.
  • Reach the basket to win the game!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your toddler during play. Small rice grains are a choking hazard. Ensure the tape is very secure.

The Space Station Balloon Squeeze

The Space Station Balloon Squeeze

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
  • Place two large boxes on the floor about six inches apart.
  • Tell your child the balloon is a spaceship that needs to go through the narrow space station.
  • Ask them to push the balloon through the gap using only their elbows.
  • Once they succeed, move the boxes slightly closer together to make it harder.
  • Challenge them to push the balloon through using a slow-motion crawl.
  • Next, have them try to pull the balloon back through the gap using their feet!
  • This helps them learn how much pressure is needed to move the balloon.
  • Repeat the maze three times and cheer for every successful mission!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is always required when playing with balloons. If a balloon pops, pick up the broken pieces immediately to keep your child safe.